/.  c 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2010  with  funding  from 

Boston  Library  Consortium  Member  Libraries 


http://www.archive.org/details/lifelettersofsamgree 


/ 


^^..^,  -fh 


^^jnr^ir^  .  , 


LIFE    AND    LETTERS 


OF 


SAMUEL  FISK   GREEN,   M.D., 


GREKN      HILL. 


COMPILED  BY 


EBENEZER     CUTLER,     D.D. 


PRINTED   FOR   FAMILY   FRIENDS. 


1891, 


INTRODUCTION. 


T  T  can  scarcely  be  hoped  that  success  will 
attend  the  attempt  to  portray  the  character 
of  one  whose  life  from  early  manhood  was  con- 
trolled by  a  fixed  purpose  to  subordinate  self,  to 
keep  out  of  notice,  and  employ  with  conscientious 
fidelity  the  days  that  were  given  him  in  the  un- 
ostentatious discharge  of  what  he  deemed  duty, 
leaving  results  to  take  care  of  themselves.  The 
influence  of  such  a  spirit,  moving  along  in  its  field 
of  activities,  may  well  be  likened  to  that  genial 
warmth  which,  in  the  operations  of  nature  silent- 
ly and  without  observation,  gives  form  and  color 
to  leaf  and  flower  and  fruit. 

At  the  brow  of  a  natural  depression  in  a  range 
of  smoothly  rounded  hills,  which  divides  the  site 

2 


Ifitroductioii. 


of  the  more  compact  portion  of  the  growing  city 
of  Worcester  on  the  west,  from  the  narrow  dale 
on  the  east,  there  stood,  nearly  a  century  and  a  half 
ago,  a  plain  wooden  dwelling  of  the  type  then 
prevalent  in  the  Massachusetts  settlement.  Two- 
storied  but  low  in  the  ceilings,  of  ample  length 
and  breadth,  and  anchored  by  a  chimney  of  need- 
less proportions,  it  afforded,  with  occasional  close 
packing,  accommodations  for  a  numerous  family. 
It  stood  on  a  by-road  or  lane,  which  though  a 
public  way  was  but  little  frequented,  except  by  the 
occupants  of  the  home  and  their  visitors.  It  was 
surrounded  by  trees  both  of  ornament  and  for 
fruiting,  and,  at  a  near  but  varying  distance,  by 
a  rim  of  the  original  forest.  It  came  to  the  Green 
family  in  1754,  being  purchased  by  the  distin- 
guished clergyman  and  physician,  Thomas  Green, 
of  Leicester,  for  a  son  whom  he  had  educated  for 
the  latter  profession. 

Here  this  son,  Dr.  John  Green  the  first,  began 
the  practice  of  medicine  at  nineteen  years  of  age, 
and  attained  professional  distinction.  While  yet 
a  young  man  he  married  his  second  wife,  Mary, 
daughter  of  the  Hon.  and  Brig.  Gen.  Timothy 
Ruggles,  of  Hardwick, — a  descendant  of  Thomas 
Dudley,  Governor  of  the  Province  of  Massachu- 
setts. Gen.  Ruggles  was  President  of  the  First 
Colonial  Congress    held  at  New  York  in   1765: 


Introduction-. 


his  father  was  a  clergyman,  and  his  wife,  a  grand- 
daughter   of    the    missionary    to    the    Indians  at 
Marshpee  whom  Dr.  Cotton  styled,  "the  godly  and 
gracious    Richard    Bourn."      Dr.   Green's    family 
was    numerous.      Three  sons   were  graduated  at 
Brown  University,  when  the  discipline  was  more 
after  the   English  fashion.     One  died  an   under- 
graduate of  Columbia  College  —  then  situated  near 
the  City  Hall  in   New  York.     Two  entered   the 
legal    profession,    two  the    medical  and  one  the 
clerical.     Some  were,  for  those  days,  widely  trav- 
elled men,  who  at  each  return  from  a  foreien  tour 
were  very  sure  to  bring  home  some  plant,  vine,  or 
shrub,  or  some  work  of  art  to  add  to  the  modest 
attractions  of  their  simple  but^comfortable  home. 
No  visitor  could  look  about  the  premises  without 
readily  discoveringr  evidences  of  taste  strueeline 
for  a  more  emphatic  manifestation,  but  confined 
by  imperative  demands  upon  a  limited  treasury, — 
for  the  expenditures  were  made  on  the  principle 
that  'the  life  is  more  than  meat,  and  the  body  than 
raiment.'     On  the  death  of  Dr.  Green,  the  admin- 
istration   of   the  place  fell  to  the  lot  of  his  son 
William  Elijah, — the  father  of  the  subject  of  this 
memoir, — who  resided  upon  it,  with  but  brief  inter- 
vals of  absence,  till  his  decease  in  his  eighty-ninth 
year  and  in  the  room  where  he  was  born.     He 
was  of  a  fine  presence,  genial  disposition  and  of 


lilt  rod  net  ion. 


an  unlimited  hospitality,  taking  active  interest  in 
public  questions  but  shunning  official  life. 

The  first  and  second  generations  of  the  Greens 
of  Green  Hill  had  passed  through  the  latter 
stage  of  the  Colonial  Period  with  its  institutions 
framed  and  guided  by  the  mother  country;  and 
the  third  had  entered  upon  that  epoch  of  conflict- 
ing opinions  which  culminated  in  the  Revolu- 
tion— in  which  they  were  not  inactive  participants. 
William  E.  Green  was  born  in  the  period  between 
the  Declaration  of  Independence  and  its  con- 
summation and  acknowledgement  by  Great 
Britain.  For  several  years  it  was,  therefore,  un- 
determined whether  he  was  to  remain  a  British" 
subject  or  become  an  American  citizen.  The 
Revolution  when  completed  still  left  unsettled, 
questions  which  chafed  the  patriotic  spirits  of  the 
infant  Republic  and  led  to  the  hostilities  of  1812; 
and  though  much  bitterness  was  cherished  against 
England  after  that  time,  yet  the  modes  of  thought 
and  the  habits  of  domestic  and  social  life  were 
still  largely  modelled  on  those  of  that  country. 
Official  life  was  attended  with  ancient  forms;  the 
sheriff  walked  the  streets  with  cockade  and  sword, 
the  judges  were  conducted  to  court  with  marked 
ceremony,  and  the  clergy  were  given  precedence 
even  in  leaving  the  house  of  worship. 

Mr.  William   E.  Green  completed  his  study  of 


Introduction. 


law,  partly  in  the  City  of  New  York,  soon  after 
his  graduation  at  Brown  University,  and  in  due 
time  was  admitted  to  the  Worcester  County  bar. 

His  first  wife  left  a  son,  and  the  second  a  daugh- 
ter, each  bcin^  commemorated  in  the  name  of 
her  child.  His  third  wife  was  Julia,  daughter  of 
Oliver  Plimpton,  of  Southbridge,  and  granddaugh- 
ter of  Dea.  Daniel  Fiske,  of  Sturbridge,  -  both 
men  of  renown  in  civil  affairs.  She  enjoyed  the 
advantages  of  "an  accomplished  family,"  being  of 
good  education,  refined  tastes,  and  excellent  prin- 
ciples, but  of  a  rather  slender  constitution. 

The  family  grew  in  time  to  the  capacity  of  the 
house.  The  father  was  ever  the  genial  companion 
of  his  children.  If  not  as  arrows  in  his  quiver, 
they  were  as  olive-plants  round  about  his  table. 
He  took  delight  in  their  pleasures,  sought  their 
constant  improvement,  and  encouraged  their  in- 
dustry. He  helped  them  make  the  driest  study 
almost  a  pastime,  and  had  remarkable  ability  to 
attach  them  to  himself  and  to  awaken  and  develop 
in  them  a  love  of  literature.  Under  his  conver- 
sation and  example,  they  found  themselves  early 
possessed  of  associations  which  became  dearer 
with  the  lapse  of  time.  The  very  trees  of  the 
homestead  embodied  memories  which  greatly  en- 
hanced their  value.  The  once  widely-known 
garden,    with    its    rectangular    walks    and  grassy 


Introduction. 


terraces,  its  ornamental  and  medicinal  plants  and 
shrubs,  bloomed  and  fruiied  with  traditions  of  the 
elders.  The  spacious  "garret"  contained  a  het 
erogeneous  museum  of  relics  of  various  epochs  of 
the  family  life,  past  use  but  saved  in  obedience  to 
an  economical  unwillingness  to  destroy,  and 
affording  inexhaustible  amusement,  on  inclement 
days,  to  the  inquiring  minds  and  inventive  fan- 
cies of  the  children. 

The  life  of  a  family,  so  remote  from  the  village 
and  from  neighbors,  would  seem  to  have  been, 
inevitably,  rather  monotonous ;  but  it  was  not 
without  important  compensations.  The  profes- 
sional life  of  the  head  of  each  of  its  generations 
attracted  visitors  of  high  cultivation,  broad  views, 
instructive  and  stimulating  conversation.  There 
was  always  at  the  homestead  a  library;  rather  scant 
it  is  true,  but  of  standard  works,  elevating,  refining, 
and  well  read.  The  necessity  of  relying  so  much 
upon  themselves  for  social  pleasure  and  culture, 
may  account  in  part  for  the  remarkable  develope- 
ment  of  their  affection  for  one  another.  The 
seclusion  of  their  early  home  certainly  did  not 
prevent  their  early  attainment  to  positions  of  great 
responsibility  and  usefulness.  William  Nelson 
became  a  lawyer  and  for  many  years  Justice  of 
the  Police  Court  of  Worcester.  Lucy  Merriam 
and  her  sister,  Mary  Ruggles,  were  for  thirty  years 


Introduction. 


associate  proprietors  and  conductors  of  a  widely- 
known  School  for  Young  Ladies,  on  Fifth  Ave- 
nue, New  York,— the  latter  marrying  Carl 
Wilhelm  Knudsen,  a  native  of  Denmark,  edu- 
cated at  the  Military  College  in  Copenhagen  and 
at  the  Royal  Academy  of  Fine  Arts.  Julia 
Elizabeth,  for  many  years  a  teacher,  and  after- 
wards head  of  the  family  at  Green  Hill.  John 
Plimpton,  a  physician,  for  many  years  resident  in 
South  America,  having  previously  practised  in 
New  York  City  and  in  China.  Andrew  Haswell, 
a  lawyer,  from  his  youth  resident  in  New  York 
and  prominently  associated  with  the  educational 
and  material  improvements  of  that  City  and  State. 
Lydia  Plimpton,  a  teacher  in  her  sister's  school. 
Oliver  Bourn,  a  resident  of  Chicago,  a  civil  en- 
gineer on  many  important  works.  Martin,  also  a 
civil  engineer  of  wide  experience  and  marked  ab- 
ility, now  residing  at  Green   Hill. 

It  is  quite  remarkable  that  for  more  than  a  cen- 
tury, the  relations  of  the  dwellers  in  this  retired 
place  have  been  more  close  and  intimate  with  the 
City  of  New  York,  once,  at  least  a  fortnight 
distant,  than  with  the  Capital  of  the  State  in 
which  it  is  situated,  though  the  latter  is  now  dis- 
tant but  an  hour's  journey.  Still  the  ancestral 
homestead  is  the  place  where  the  survivors  like 
best  to  dwell,  or  to  linger  in  their  visits,  though 


Introduction. 


realizing  more  and  more  pathetically  as  the  seasons 
come  and  go  the  truth  of  the  poet's  lines: 

"  I  see  around  me  here 
Things  which  you  cannot  see  ;  we  die,  my  Friend, 
Nor  we  alone,  but  that  which  each  man  loved 
And  prized  in  his  peculiar  nook  of  earth 
Dies  with  him  or  is  changed,  and  very  soon 
Even  of  the  acood  is  no  memorial  left.'' 


C  H  A  P  T  E'R    I. 


1822-1846:    TO    ^T.   24. 


CAMUEL  FISK  GREEN,  son  of  William  E. 
Green  and  Julia  Plimpton,  was  born  at  Green 
Hill  on  the  tenth  of  October,  1822.  He  was  the 
eighth  in  a  family  of  eleven  children,  ofwhom  one 
died  in  infancy,  ten  lived  beyond  middle  age,  and 
six  survive  him. 

The  child  was  subject  to  ills  and  sufferings  of 
unusual  severity,  which  he  barely  survived,  and 
from  which  he  but  slowly  recovered.  In  his 
eleventh  year  he  was  bereaved  of  his  mother, 
having  been  deprived  of  her  care  a  year  and  a 
half  by  reason  of  her  illness.  As  his  eldest  sister 
had  orone  from  home,  it  fell  to  the  next,  though 
but  in  her  eighteenth  year,  to  fill  the  place  of  a 
mother  to  the  younger  children, — which  she  did 
so  well  as  to  be  cherished  by  them  with  filial 
affection.  His  natural  endowments  were  not  re- 
markable, except  perhaps  in  the  strength  of  his 
affections  and  the  quickness  of  his  temper ;  but 
however  incompatible  these  traits  may  seem,  the 
latter  did  not  weaken  the  former,  and  the  former 

3 


Childhood.  (A.  D.  1836. 


greatly  assisted  in  subduing  and  controlling  the 
latter. 

Though  fond  of  sport,  and  freely  indulging  in 
it,  he  was  early  taught  to  make  himself  useful. 
His  aptitude  is  seen  in  the  fact  that  before  he  was 
fourteen  he  took  the  clerkship  of  his  next  older 
brother  in  New  York,  while  the  latter  was  recover- 
\\\<y  from  a  severe  illness,  and  in  this  and  other 
similar  occupations,  was  away  from  home  and 
school  about  ten  months.  According  to  his  years 
and  strength  he  was  accustomed,  while  not  at 
school,  to  such  manual  labor  as  boys  perform 
about  a  farm,  and  formed  habits  of  industry  and 
economy,  from  which  he  ever  afterwards  derived 
great  advantage.  Though  he  served  no  appren- 
ticeship, he  was  handy  in  the  use  of  tools,  and 
took  orreat  delis^ht  in  what  he  stvled  "tinkering," 
using  the  word  in  the  most  extended  signification, 
and  playing  the  jack-at-all-trades  in  unconscious 
preparation  for  the  profession  and  position  to 
which  he  was  destined. 

In  the  Green  Hill  Benevolent  Society,  a  house- 
hold organization  for  the  promotion  of  the  spirit 
of  benevolence  in  its  members,  no  one  seems  to 
have  taken  more  interest,  except  perhaps  his 
guardian  sister,  for  as  secretary  he  kept  it  in  oper- 
ation after  its  originators  and  early  managers  had 
left  home. 


Aetat.  14  ]  Education. 


Its  reflex  influence  was  of  much  more  import- 
ance than  the  amount  of  monthly  contributions, 
and  by  it  he  may  have  been  unconsciously  "bent" 
towards  the  work  to  which  a  few  years  later  he 
was  consciously  "inclined." 

He  was  educated  at  the  public  schools.  Though 
not  precocious,  he  learned  with  ease,  and  though 
often  detained  at  home  he  kept  well  up  with  his 
classes.  Faithful  and  exemplary,  he  was  naturally 
a  favorite  with  his  teachers  and  had  a  high  esteem 
for  them.  Many  years  afterwards  one  of  them 
spoke  of  him  as  "the  only  scholar  who  tried  to  do 
his  best,  and  a  perfect  gentleman  then;"  and 
from  his  East  Indian  home  he  sent  to  two  of  them 
"rulers"  of  choice  wood  in  token  of  his  friendly 
remembrance  and  esteem. 

His  training  at  school  was  supplemented  by 
that  at  home;  his  older  sisters,  and  especially  his 
father,  aided  and  stimulated  him  in  his  studies 
and  in  general  literature.  He  early  formed  good 
habits  of  study,  and  acquired  a  taste  for  good 
reading;  and  his  acquisitions  and  discipline  were 
such  as  to  fit  him  for  college,  or  to  lay  the  foun- 
dation for  t"hat  future  improvement  which  would 
be  a  practical  substitute  for  a  liberal  education. 

He  was  past  seventeen  before  he  felt  any  con- 
cern for  his  spiritual  welfare.  Free  from  low 
associates  and  vicious  habits,  he  had  been  satisfied 


12  Conversion.  [A.  D.  1841. 

with  himself.  His  first  sense  of  sin  was  for  dis- 
obedience to  his  sister.  After  this  he  put  a 
different  estimate  on  other  acts.  It  is  remarkable 
that  he  seemed  to  find  some  of  his  greatest  sins 
against  God  in  certain  slight  unbrotherly  acts, 
which  would  have  been  entirely  forgotten  if  he 
had  not  referred  to  them  years  afterwards  in  his 
letters.  By  the  time  he  was  eighteen,  he  had 
settled  the  personal  question,  having  surrendered 
to  Christ,  and  begun  to  experience  that  peace 
which  is  the  witness  of  the  Spirit  to  adoption 
into  sonship  with  God. 

Having  come  into  the  light  himself,  he  desired 
to  lead  his  brothers  into  it ;  but  he  could  hardly 
help  feeling  that  any  premature  zeal  might  be 
misconstrued,  and  that  any  efforts  in  their  behalf 
would  be  regarded  with  more  favor  after  a  some- 
what longer  proof  of  his  own  spiritual  renewal. 
From  the  first,  however,  he  endeavored  to  live  as 
a  lis^ht  in  the  world,  and  it  was  not  lono^  before 
he  rose  above  his  reluctance  to  plead  with  others, 
and  became  remarkable  for  his  life-long  fidelity. 
"Though  naturally  of  an  excitable  and  fiery  nature, 
through  high  self-discipline,  he  converted  the  fire 
into  central  glow  and  motive  power  of  life,  instead 
of  permitting  it  to  waste  itself  on  useless  passion." 

Early  in  1841  he  went  to  New  York  and  took 
employment  under  the  Rev.  Dr.  Vaughan,  Secre- 


Aetat.  18.]  Choice  of  Frofess'uvi.  13 


tary  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Board  of  Mis- 
sions. On  the  tith  of  April  he  united  with  the 
Mercer  St.  Presbyterian  Church,  then  under  the 
care  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Skinner.  He  attended  the 
evening  meetings,  took  classes  in  Sunday  Schools, 
conversed  with  his  pupils  and  associates  on  spir- 
itual things,  though  he  had  not  yet  the  courage 
to  let  his  voice  be  heard  in  public. 

Aiming  to  conform  himself  to  the  ideal  of 
Christian  life  as  presented  in  the  Gospel,  he  found 
himself  greatly  favored  also  by  his  position;  and 
ever  afterwards  felt  much  indebted  fo  his  employer 
for  the  exemplification  of  that  ideal.  Here  he 
gained  an  insight  into  the  demands  and  the 
management  of  the  enterprise  of  missions,  and 
probably  some  deeper  impressions  of  his  duties 
to  Christ  in  regard  to  the  heathen. 

He  seems  to  have  inherited  a  predilection  for 
the  medical  profession.  As  his  duties  at  the 
Mission  House  were  often  light,  he  found  time, 
not  only  for  study  and  reading,  but  also  for  taking- 
some  lessons  in  dentistry.  The  fact  that  a 
brother  vias  just  beginning  to  practice  medicine 
in  the  city  was  not  without,  at  least,  a  silent  in- 
fluence. When  he  chanced  to  hear  a  lecture  on 
the  circulation  of  the  blood,  the  latent  predilection 
may  have  been  awakened  into  conscious  desire 
and  choice;  for  by  the  middle  of  summer,  he  gave 


14 


Medical  Studies.  [A.  D.  1841. 


up  his  clerkship  and  became  a  student  in  medicine 
with  Dr.  John  Augustus  McVickar.  A  fortnight 
sufficed  to  show  him  that  the  study  of  medicine, , 
in  order  to  amount  to  anything  valuable  or  desir- 
able, must  be  something  more  than  a  pastime ; 
and  he  resolutely  began  his  work  anew.  He  em- 
braced opportunities  to  witness  surgical  opera- 
tions, and  to  hear  medical  lectures.  In  October 
he  entered  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons, 
of  New  York,  which  had  a  numerous  faculty  and 
afforded  many  advantages.  During  his  course  of 
study,  he  had  also  many  opportunities  to  visit  hos- 
pitals, infirmaries,  dispensaries,  and  to  attend 
clinical  lectures  and  post-mortems, — thus  making 
personal  acquaintance  with  many  of  the  more 
distinguished  men  of  the  profession  in  the  city. 

A  letter  to  his  aunt  shows  how  ready  he  was  to 
recognize  kindnesses  extended  to  him. 

New  York,  Oct.  22,  1841. 
Dear  Aunt  Betsey: 

I  write  you  at  this  time,  not  to  tell  any 
news,  for  I  have  nothing  of  the  kind,  but  to  ex- 
press my  gratitude  to  you  for  another  proof  of 
your  friendship  toward  one  so  unworthy;  if  it  had 
not  been  that  you  so  kindly  stepped  in  to  my  aid, 
I  fear  this  winter  might  have  passed  without  any 
lectures  at  all. 

This  would  have  put  me  back  a  great  deal  in 


Aetat.  19.]  •  Letters. 


my  studies,  as  I  should  have  had  to  go  on  without 
any  aid  from  the  light  which  I  shall  now  derive 
from  them.  I  shall  therefore  gain  by  your  liber- 
ality,not  only  the  new  ideas  given  by  the  lecturers, 
but  shall  moreover  have  the  aid  of  those  same 
ideas  in  helping  me  onward  in  the  course  of  my 
medical  pursuits. 

For  this  accept  my  sincere  and  hearty  thanks, 
and  let  me  assure  you  dear  Aunt  that  nothing 
will  serve  as  a  greater  spur  to  me,  than  the  hope 
of  being  enabled  at  some  future  day  to  make  some 
slight  return  for  the  many  favors  I  have  been  con- 
stantly receiving  from  you 

All  well.  Give  my  love  to  all  and  accept  much 
yourself  from  your  nephew, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Soon  after  his  matriculation,  he  learned  that  one 
of  his  brothers  was  to  sail  at  once  for  the  Lesser 
Antilles,  to  be  absent  he  knew  not  how  long,  it 
might  be  for  years.  He  could  not  but  feel  a  deep 
personal  regret  at  the  separation.  The  following 
letter,  which  was  to  be  opened  at  sea,  shows  not 
only  the  strength  of  his  brotherly  affection  but 
also  that  his  single  year  of  Christian  experience 
had  been  one  of  thoughfulness  and  spiritual 
growth.      It  is  without  signature. 

Dear  Brother  Andrew: 

I  want  to  say  a  few  words  to  you  now,  even 
after  you  have  left  me  far   behind,  together  with 


1 6  Letter.  [A.  D.  1841. 


all  your  other  earthly  friends.  You  are  now 
among  strangers,  who  have  comparatively  but 
little  interest  in  you  and  who,  not  having  known 
you  before,  will  take  you  as  you  first  appear  to 
them.  This,  then,  is  the  time  to  take  among 
them  and  amons^  all  a  decided  stand  for  Christ. 
Let  the  governing  influence  of  His  Spirit  be  seen 
in  all  your  actions,  and  strive  to  glorify  Him  in 
all  you  say  and  do. 

You  are  going  into  the  midst  of  thick  tempta- 
tions, and  it  becomes  you  to  take  earnest  heed  to 
yourself  that  you  do  not  fall.  Trust  not  for  one 
single  momei.t  to  your  own  strength,  but  as  a 
little  child  walk,  led  by  Jesus'  hand;  if  you  trust 
in  Him,  He  will  guard  and  guide  you.  VVe  have 
many  promises  in  His  word  to  this  effect,  and  the 
earth  will  sooner  be  removed  than  that  one  of  these 
should  fail.  We  have  also  many  denunciations 
against  him  that  "maketh  flesh  his  arm."  "It  is 
better  to  trust  in  the  Lord  than  to  put  confidence 
in  princes." 

You  leave  us  now  with  the  hope  and  expecta- 
tion of  orettinp'  wealth.  If  God  sees  it  to  be  best 
that  you  become  rich,  He  will  send  abundant 
prosperity;  but  if  not,  if  He  sees  that  prosperity 
would  be  hurtful  to  you,  He  will  in  mercy  with- 
hold it,  and  you  should  pray  that  He  would,  for  it 
will  profit  nc^thing  to  gain  the  whole  world  and 
lose  one's  soul.  If  He  gives  you  prosperity,  pray 
that  He  will  at  the  same  time  grant  you  grace  to 
bear  it  well ;  and  pray  that  whatever  you  may  gain 
may  be  consecrated  (as  you  have  consecrated 
yourself)  to   His  service.      Let  your    light    shine 


Aetat.  19.]  General  Reading.  \) 


% 

brightly  amid  the  moral  darkness  with  which  you 
will  be  surrounded. 

You  will  doubtless  be  strongly  tempted  to  fol- 
low the  practices  of  those  among  whom  you  may 
be  known,  in  regard  to  the  Sabbath  particularly, 
but  do  not  give  way  to  the  temptation.  "Remem- 
ber the  Sabbath  day  to  keep  it  holy."  If  one  be- 
comes accustomed  openly  to  disobey  this  com- 
mand, he  will  lift  the  flood-gate  to  a  host  of  sins 
that  before  were  effectually  debarred.  Strict 
observance  of  the  Sabbath  and  of  your  private 
devotions  will  be  to  you  the  chief  safeguards,  and 
you  ought  to  be  very  thankful  that,  though  you 
leave  behind  many  means  of  grace,  you  still  have 
the  chief,  "the  Bible  and  the  throne  of  grace." 
These  are  sufficient,  if  well  used,  for  any  one,  and 
will  prove  themselves  so  to  you.  May  we  both 
make  good  use  of  them,  and  never  let  carelessness 
creep  into  our  Bible  readings,  nor  formality  into 
our  closets,  for  they  are  the  death  of  all  vital  re- 
ligion. 

New  York,  Novemb'^r  i,  1841. 

The  student  did  not  allow  his  professional 
course  to  prevent  earnest  efforts  at  general  im- 
provement. At  the  outset  he  began  the  study  of 
German,  and  pursued  it  under  a  teacher  to  whom 
it  was  vernacular.  He  gave  attention  to  Latin, 
Geometry,  and  Natural  Science;  read  Philosophy, 
History,  and  Poetry.  He  desired  to  have  his 
mind  so  well  disciplined  that  all  his  powers  would 
4 


1 8  Medical  Studies.  [A.  D.  1841. 


be  under  control.  For  his  age  and  opportunities, 
he  had  a  rare  perception  of  what  was  necessary  to 
such  discipHne,  and  a  rare  determination  to  attain 
it.  He  read  with  attention,  reflected  on  what  he 
read,  and  often  made  his  thoughts  definite  by 
writing.  This  practice  clarified  his  mind,  and 
enabled  him  to  take  enlarged  views  and  to  form 
quick  and  accurate  judgments.  He  thus  gained 
a  good  degree  of  power  to  set  his  mind  at  work 
whenever  and  wherever  and  on  whatever  subject 
he  desired. 

The  first  time  Mr.  Green  went  into  the  dissect- 
ing-room he  was  painfully  impressed  with  the  re- 
pulsiveness  of  the  scene,  and  with  the  indifference 
of  the  students  at  work.  He  said  the  sight  was 
enough  to  sicken  one,  and  if  it  did  not  remind 
one  of  his  day  of  death  he  knew  not  what  would. 
Obviously  he  would  have  gladly  dispensed  with 
this  part  of  his  course  of  study,  but  he  subordina- 
ted his  feelings  to  his  convictions  of  duty,  and 
gradually  became  an  enthusiastic  student  in  this 
department.  His  interest  in  the  work  made  him 
insensible  to  what  at  first  had  been  so  disagree- 
able, and  probably  caused  him  to  appear  as  indif- 
ferent as  others. 

His  scientific  interest  in  the  human  system, 
however,  instead  of  inclining  him  to  be  sceptical, 
only  made  him  the  more  reverent.     The  adapta- 


Aetat.  20.]  Medical  Studies.  '  19 

tion  of  means  to  ends  throuorhout  the  entire 
organism  lifted  the  work  so  far  above  all  merely 
human  mechanism,  and  suggested  such  unlimited 
intelligence,  that  he  could  not  but  worship  and 
adore  its  Author. 

On  the  other  hand,  instead  of  making  him  in- 
different to  human  suffering  and  reckless  towards 
the  patient,  his  studies  rendered  him  only  the 
more  sympathetic,  cautious  and  careful.  Though 
he  trained  himself  to  do  his  duty  with  a  firm  hand, 
he  could  not  forget  or  slight  the  claims  of  the 
sufferer,  nor  the  dependence  of  both  upon  the 
divine  source  of  health  and  life. 

Having  pursued  the  usual  order  of  study  for  a 
year  and  a  half,  he  met  with  a  new  and,  as  it 
seemed  to  him,  better  method, — that  of  studying 
topically  and  every  topic  exhaustively, — which  he 
at  once  adopted,  and  pursued. 

Unable,  as  the  warm  season  of  1843  drew  near, 
to  follow  his  studies  with  vigor  and  without  fre- 
quent absences  from  the  lectures,  he  took  a  vaca- 
tion of  five  months  to  recuperate.  Perhaps  it 
was  his  own  experience  of  debility  that  suggested 
the  reflection,  "There  is  nothing  below  the  sun 
that  will  give  us  true  enjoyment  unless  we  possess 
a  joy-creating  spirit  within."  He  was  not  entirely 
free  from  his  past  infirmities,  however,  the  chief 
of  which  he  regarded  with  such  aversion  that  only 


2  0  Health.  [A.  D.  1844. 

those  who  have  been  similarly  afflicted  can  appre- 
ciate his  graphic  apostrophe:  "Oh,  Dyspepsia, 
thou  art  horrible;  it  matters  not  by  what  avenue 
thou  makest  thy  approach,  none  more  unwelcome 
than  thou.  Why,  thou  liest  concealed,  like  a 
lurking  robber,  in  the  stomach,  and  goadest  on 
the  appetite,  and  impartest  nice  discrimination  to 
the  palate,  till  thou  fillest  well  thy  habitation,  with 
fit  material,  when  thou  turnest  thyself  fiendlike 
against  the  wretched  brain  and  makest  it  suffer 
for  its  honest  credulity  in  commanding  its  subor- 
dinate functions  to  obey  the  mandates  of  thy 
despicable  self." 

He  was  disposed,  however,  to  find  consolation 
in  the  possible  benefit  to  be  derived  from  the  ills 
he  suffered;  for  he  said  that,  "Sickness  often, 
though  casting  a  gloom  over  the  mind,  makes  this 
serve  as  a  veil  to  hide  the  world,  that  the  soul, 
ever  busy,  may  work  upon  the  future  world  and 
thus  learn  those  things  which,  important  as  they 
are,  have  heretofore  remained  unheeded." 

Before  the  middle  of  May,  1844,  he  again  went 
home  to  secure  the  benefit  of  a  vacation.  Long 
before  this  his  thoughts  had  been  occupied  occa- 
sionally with  the  question  of  his  duty  in  respect 
to  foreign  missions,  but  he  probably  communicated 
them  to  no  one,  except  perhaps  his  friend  and 
classmate,  S.  R.  House,  who  then  thought  of  going 


Aetat.  22.]  Inclination  to  Missionary  Work.  21 


to  China,  and  finally  went  to  Siam.  In  August 
he  wrote  to  his  sister  Mary:  "  I  have  some  thoughts 
of  going  'missionarying.'  Although  my  health  is 
slim,  yet  it  might  improve  by  change  of  climate, 
habits  and  scenes."  Having  returned  to  New 
York  for  the  last  course  of  lectures,  he  consulted 
with  his  friend  House  about  going  to  China, 
having  been  led  to  think  of  that  field  particularly 
by  the  fact  that  his  brother  John  had  gone  there 
to  practice  medicine ;  but,  on  receiving  from  him 
some  discouragement,  he  seems  to  have  thought 
no  more  of  China  than  any  other  portion  of  the 
heathen  world.  But  he  could  not  rid  himself  of 
the  sense  of  personal  obligations  to  the  mission- 
ary cause;  as  his  health  was  precarious,  he  con- 
cluded that  he  would  either  become  a  missionary 
himself,  or  endeavor  to  maintain  a  substitute,  as 
Providence  might  indicate. 

,  By  reason  of  his  two  long-  absences  his  course 
in  the  College  was  prolonged  into  the  fourth  year. 
That  the  delay  had  not  been  wholly  disadvantage- 
ous may  be  inferred  from  the  applause  which 
greeted  him  at  the  lecture  the  morning  after  his 
final  examination.  He  graduated  on  the  13th  of 
March,  1845.  A  few  days  afterwards  he  was  nom- 
inated to  the  New  York  Dispensary,  although  his 
credentials  had  not  been  presented;  but,  having 
been  strongly  urged  to  settle  in  his  native  town, 
he  declined  the  nomination. 


2  2  Commences  Practice.  [A.  D.  1845. 


On  the  23d  of  April  he  wrote  from  Worcester, 
to  his  sisters  and  brothers  in  New  York:  "Yester- 
day was  my  first  on  professional  waters  under  a 
regular  flag.  How  shall  I  ever  forget  you  and 
your  kindnesses.  Accept,  for  all,  my  thanks,  with 
the  hope  that  these  may  prove  but  shadows  of 
coming  realities.  Though  separated  here,  may 
our  respective  roads  in  life  converge,  tending 
heavenward."  Young,  a  novice,  and  surrounded 
with  physicians  of  established  reputation,  he  ex- 
pected that  confidence  and  patronage  would  be  of 
slow  growth;  but  he  regarded  his  "business," 
whether  "brisk"  or  "rather  dull,"  "as  good  as  Wis- 
dom saw  it  best,"  and  therefore  he  "wished  it  not 
better." 

The  active  duties  of  his  profession  did  not  di- 
minish his  interest  in  the  question  of  missionary 
service,  and  in  March,  1846,  he  asked  himself, 
"Why  is  it  not  better  for  me  to  go  where  I  can  be 
very  useful,  as  well  in  my  profession  as  otherwise, 
at  once — so  to  a  land  of  darkness  and  heal  the 
bodies  and  enlighten  the  minds  of  some  error- 
bound  people?"  It  was  in  this  state  of  mind  that 
he  ventured  the  next  day  to  make  some  remarks 
at  the  prayer  meeting,  and  rejoiced  that  he  had 
received  strength  for  once  to  overcome  his  diffi- 
dence. Some  months  later  he  recorded  his  views 
and  feeling  as  follows: — 


Aetat.  24.]  Missionary  Tendency.  23 

"  If  it  prove  best  that  my  sphere  should  be 
enlarged  here,  I  hope  I  may  be  enabled  to  devote 
all  my  influence  to  the  great  cause,  and  make  all 
tell  for  good  upon  the  welfare  (in  the  broadest 
sense)  of  my  fellow  creatures.  For  self  is  not 
worth  living  for;  such  living  is  not  worthy  the 
name  of  life;  it  makes  one  meaner  and  still  more 
mean;  true  living — benevolence — is  a  constant 
expansion  of  soul.  It  is  certainly  very  pleasant 
to  have  extended  business  influence,  to  have  many 
under  one's  pay,  to  be  the  means  of  their  sub- 
sistence, to  be  the  medium  of  relief  to  suffering, 
to  have  a  large  share  of  this  world's  goods  and 
dispense  bounties  to  all  around.  But  it  is  as  cer- 
tainly pitiable  to  see  one  blessed  with  all  these 
powers  and  turning  the  good  to  a  curse  by  a 
grasping,  avaricious  spirit, — acting  the  miser, 
starving  his  soul,  and  laboring  to  tie  a  golden 
weight  on  his  neck.  John  Bunyan's  man  with 
the  muck  rake  stood  on  the  lip  of  a  yawning  pit, 
unconsciously  heaping  gilded  dust — that  yellow 
dust  which  has  proved  a  deadly  poison  to  so  many 
souls.  Heartily  would  I  say  with  Pilgrim, — De- 
liver me  from  the  muck  rake  of  sordid  avarice." 

Obviously  he  still  held  fast  to  his  resolution  to 
do  the  work  of  a  missionary  either  personally  or 
by  proxy,  though  which  was  to  be  the  way  he 
knew  not  yet,  except  that  for  the  present  it  seemed 
to  be  the  latter. 


24  Letter  to  a  Sister.  [A.  D.  1846. 


He  was  an  ardent  lover  of  Nature.  Reared  in 
the  midst  of  rural  scenery  he  was  a  quick  obser- 
ver of  its  beauties,  and  was  seldom  at  a  loss  to  find 
a  suggestion  or  illustration  of  some  truth  or 
fancy.  But  his  greatest  interest  in  Nature  lay  in 
its  signs  of  the  Supernatural.'  He  used  often  in 
later  years  to  say,  "  The  casual  observer  looks  at 
an  object;  the  scientist  \oo\ls  into  it;  the  Christian 
looks  throttgh  it  to  its  Creator."  The  spiritual 
habit  of  his  mind  is  shown  in  these  extracts  from 
a  letter  to  his  youngest  sister,  to  whom  he  loved 
to  write,  though  within  an  easy  walk  of  her. 

,       July  1 1,  1846. 
My  Dear  Sister:     . 

All  around  us  in  Nature  calls  for  grati- 
tude. .  .  .  But  do  we  know,  or  will  reflection 
assure  us,  that  in  the  inner  world — that  world 
unseen  but  surely  felt — there  lie  extended  fields 
of  thought,  luxuriant  and  sprinkled  with  angels' 
flowers  .f*  .  .  .  Let  us  pity  those  whose  eyes  seem 
wholly  closed  to  sentiment,  dealing  but  with  the 
o-rosser  elements  of  thins^s  around  them.  To  such 
the  body  of  the  natural  world  is  dead,  for  the 
presence  of  the  spirit  is  undiscerned.  The  mate- 
rial world  is  a  set  of  symbols.  ,  .  .  As  we  thread 
the  maze  of  life,  be  our  ear  alert  to  catch  the 
music  of  the  universal  choir, — from  the  small 
insect  that  hums  as  it  sails  on  gossamer  wings, 
up  through  the  harmonious  scale  till  we  catch  the 


Aetat.  23.]  Rhymhig.  25 

music  of  the  spheres,  with  their  note  too  mighty 
for  our  Httle  sense.  The  Httle  grass  that  dances 
with  hght  as  the  joyous  breeze  skims  over  it,  the 
rippHng  brook  with  sparkHng  eye  and  tone  of 
gladness,  the  sunbeam  that  smiles  on  many  a 
cloud  and  tinges  for  us  visions  of 'the  heavenly 
land,  and  the  lamps  that  twinkle  with  rejoicings, — 
thick  hung  throughout  the  long,  blue  pathway  to 
light  imprisoned  spirits  home, — all,  all  in  more 
than  words  sing  praise,  if  but  the  mind  attentive 
be  ...  . 

Through  calm  and  tempest,  through  sunshine 
and  gloom,  let  us  evenly  pursue  our  way,  not 
resting  our  eye  on  the  present  scene,  but  keeping 
it  fixed  on  the  Star  of  our  destiny  till,  going  before 
us,  it  shall  stand  over  the  place  where  .  .  .  death 
shall  give  us  birth.  .  .  .  For  us,  not  through  what 
but  to  what  we  pass,  it  is  to  look,  and  we  look  for 
a  haven  of  peace. — With  love,  your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


He  sometimes  indulged  in  rhyming,  as  a  means 
of  obtaining  a  greater  command  of  language ;  but 
did  not  pretend  to  be  a  poet.  Yet  a  remark  al- 
ready quoted  about  our  enjoyment  of  external 
things  being  conditioned  upon  a  joy-creating 
spirit,  and  which  reminds  one  of  Coleridge's  ode 
to  Dejection,  again  occurs  illustrated  and  embo- 
died, by  no  means  unhappily,  in  the  following 
stanzas. 


26  Rhyviing.  [A.  D.  1846. 


Oft  have  I  looked  upon  the  sky 

When  all  was  pure  and  bright  and  clear; 
As  oft  within  me  turned  mine  eye, 

And  almost  thought  that  sky  was  here. 

Again  I've  watched  upon  the  sky 

The  deep  black  clouds  with  thunder  roll  ; 

Again  have  turned  within  mine  eye, 
And  felt  those  clouds  were  in  my  soul. 

"Tis  in  ourselves  the  sun  doth  shine, 

Or  gloomy  shadows  throw  ; 
We  bear  within  a  power  divine 

To  work  our  weal  or  woe. 


C  H  A  P  1^  E  R    II 


1846-1847:    .ET.   24-25. 


A  BOUT  the  middle  of  November,  1846,  several 
missionaries  were  to  sail  for  India,  the  Rev. 
Levi  Spaulding  and  Dr.  John  Scudder  on  their 
return  to  Ceylon,  and  the  Rev.  E.  P.  Hastings 
under  recent  appointment  to  the  same  Mission. 
Dr.  Green  took  the  occasion  to  consult  Dr.  Scud- 
der and  to  attend  the  farewell  meeting,  and  at 
once  offered  himself  to  the  American  Board.  In 
due  time  he  received  appointment  to  act  as  mis- 
sionary physician  to  the  American  Mission  in 
Ceylon. 

Naturally  he  began  to  think  of  the  approaching 
separation  from  his  friends,  of  the  distant  field  of 
labor,  and  of  the  future  years.  This  is  the  record 
of  his  revery:  "  I  wandered  late  beneath  the  moon, 
whose  pensive  light  seemed  in  friendly  sympathy 
with  my  spirit.  I  saw  her  rise  from  the  hazy 
East,  and,  awake  but  dreaming,  pictured  all  those 
scenes,  unknown  to  me  save  by  description,  where 
my  destiny  with  unwavering  finger  points  my 
path,    and    the  future  is  speedily  beckoning  me 


28  Beginning  the  Study  of  Tamil.  [A.  D.  1846. 

away.  I  looked  upon  the  fair  orb  of  night,  and 
felt  myself  towards  her  growing  in  attachment; 
for  she  will  surely  hereafter,  as  now,  shed  beams 
of  softest  influence  on  my  soul  when  lonely  I  may 
stray  to  think  on  kindred  far  away,  and  feed,  as  I 
must  on  memory's  shades  of  scenes  too  dear,  too 
sacred,  it  would  seem,  to  leave. — I  hear  the  tones 
of  millions  call;  I  may  not  stay." 

He  closed  up  his  affairs  in  Worcester,  and  has- 
tened to  New  York  to  procure  his  outfit.  As  the 
time  for  sailing  was  yet  uncertain,  he  took  lessons 
in  drawing  and  in  Daguerreotyping,  and  began 
the  study  of  the  Tamil  language  under  a  returned 
missionary.  Having  a  good  knowledge  of  Latin, 
and  considerable  of  Greek,  French,  and  German, 
he  was  confident  he  could  learn  this  new  tongue, 
notwithstanding  he  was  told  that  it  was  exceeding- 
ly difficult,  having  between  thirty  and  forty  char- 
acters with  about  two  hundred  and  forty  modifi 
cations, — and  he  had  about  three  months  to  study 
it  while  waiting  for  a  vessel. 

It  was  no  idle  boast  when  he  wrote  one  of  his 
sisters  that  "others  have  learned  it  and  so  can  I;" 
for  he  was  not  one  to  be  discouraged  by  "a  Hon 
in  the  way,"  but  rather  one  to  whom  obstacles 
afforded  the  greater  zeal. 

It  is  interesting  to  find  that  after  he  had  given 
himself   to  the  work  of  a  missionary,  he  felt  no 


Portrait  of   Dr.    Samuel   Fisk   Green. 


TAKEN      ABOUT      1847. 


fcRTOTYPE,     E.    BIERSTADT, 


Aetat.  24.]  Letter  to  His  Sister  Lydia.  29 


regret  in  view  of  what  he  was  leaving.     To  one 
of  his  sisters  he  wrote : 

Orange,  N.  J.,  Feb.  24,  1847. 
My  Dear  Sister  Lydia: 

....  I  cannot  account  for  it,  that  one 
who  does  really  love  his  friends  as  much  as  I  do 
can  yet  be  away  from  them  as  I  now  am  without  feel- 
ing irrepressible  longings  for  their  society ;  how- 
ever, I  can  little  tell  how  I  shall  yearn  to  see  their 
faces  after  a  three  year's  absence  from  them  all. 
I  never  have  been  totally  divided  from  them  in 
my  life, — but  on  this  theme  my  pen  must  stop 
heie.  I  am  not  to  allow  myself  in  painting  dismal 
hues,  I  do  not  believe  in  them.  I  believe  most 
cordially  that  the  Lord  will  cheer  any  path  we 
may  tread  if  it  be  pursued  with  a  trustful  leaning 
on  Him. 

Let  us  rejoice  in  that  ours  is  the  hope  that  we 
both  have  the  Almighty  for  our  Friend,  reconciled 
to  us  through  the  beloved  Redeemer.  We  can 
but  cry  with  the  apostle, — "  Thanks  be  unto  God 
for  His  unspeakable  gift."  I  should  be  glad,  it 
seems  to  me,  if  I  could  get  my  heart  in  a  state 
contented  with  nothingr  short  of  heaven,  and  I 
hope  I  am  satisfied  with  nothing  below.  I  want 
to  be  on  this  footing  with  all  my  friends, — to  re- 
gard all  partings  with  them  here  as  but  of  very 
trifling  importance,  and  to  look  for  a  full  enjoy- 
ment of  their  company  above  only. 

If  our  eyes  were  open,  what  a  mere  span  would 


30  Letter  to  His  Sister  Lydia.  [A.  D.  1847. 


this  bound  of  time  present.  How  surprisingly 
near  v\ould  the  eternal  world  seem  to  us.  Our 
ears,  if  spiritually  opened,  could  hear  glad  voices 
in  bliss,  and  among  them  might  we  not  perhaps 
discern  some  friends  callinQr  us  thither.  Oh,  for 
enlargement  of  mind  and  of  heart,  to  see  ourselves 
in  our  true  relation  to  all  around  us  and  beyond 
us,  to  feel  our  condition,  what  we  were,  what  we 
are,  and  what  we  hope  to  be.  What  revelations 
would  an  angel's  eye,  for  a  moment  granted  us, 
present,  but,  if  we  "persevere  to  the  end,"  only  a 
step  removed.  That  vision  shall  be  our  own. 
The  gospel,  however,  has  set  before  us,  of  that 
beyond  us,  an  all-sufficiency  for  our  need,  in  that 
Christ  has  developed  what  was  a  mystery  for  ages 
in  the  world,  what  many  prophets  and  righteous 
men  desired  to  see.  Yes,  "Life  and  immortality 
are  brought  to  light  through  the  Gospel."  What 
a  fearful  leap  must  every  death  in  darkness  as  to 
the  future  have  been;  but  now  the  grave  is  lighted, 
and  the  rays  of  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  dart 
through  the  once  dark  valley,  even  to  the  very 
gates  of  Heaven.  But  stop— just  as  if  I  could 
meditate,  or  should,  for  you! 

.  .  .  Am  pursuing  the  Tamil  in  earnest.  .  .  , 
Miss  Bull  says  you  taught  me  the  French  very 
correctly  indeed.  .  .  .  Here  I  still  am,  untram- 
melled or  unblessed,  as  you  choose.  .  .  .  When  I 
can  find  one  with  many  of  your  features  of  char- 
acter, I  shall  be  likely  to  try  for  a  matrimonial 
arrangement.  .  .  . 

I  am  bound  for  the  Seminary  at  Batticotta,  I 
suppose;  but  I  will  write  you  again,  I  hope,  before 


Aetat.  24.]  Fitness  for  Missionary  Life.  31 

I  get  there.     May  God  bless  you  and  make  us 
both  blessings. 

With  much  love,  yours  very  truly. 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Among  all  who  had  witnessed  the  life  of  Dr. 
Green  since  his  conversion,  there  was  probably 
not  a  person  who  doubted  his  spiritual  fitness  for 
the  missionary  work.  As  he  was  about  to  bid 
adieu  to  his  friends  in  New  York  an  intimate  ac- 
quaintance, in  a  note  of  sympathy  to  one  of  his 
sisters,  wrote,  "  I  suppose  that  the  letter  which 
your  brother  has  received  from  the  Board  notify- 
ing him  that  the  time  of  his  departure  draws  near, 
will  make  you  feel  now  that  it  is  indeed  a  stern 
reality— ought  we  not  to  say  a  sweet  reality.? 
Should  it  not  be  our  delight  to  give  of  our  best  to 
Him  who  gave  Himself  for  us  .^^  I  know  you 
would  not  retract  the  offering,  even  in  the  agony 
of  separation  from  one  who  bears  about  him  so 
much  of  his  Master's  likeness  as  to  make  it  im- 
possible for  those  who  know  him  well,  it  seems  to 
me,  not  to  love  him.  For  my  own  part,  I  esteem 
it  one  of  my  precious  privileges  to  have  known 
him." 

It  seemed  strange  that  one  so  young,  so  viva- 
cious, so  accustomed  to  society,  so  ardently  at- 
tached to  his  kindred  and  friends,  and  to  whom 
the  society  of  friends  seemed  almost  indispensable, 


32  Embarkation.  ■  [A.  D.  1847. 

should  have  been  willing  to  go  on  a  foreign  mis- 
sion without  a  wife.  Yet  within  a  few  weeks  of 
his  departure,  and  well  knowing  the  solicitude  of 
his  friends,  he  seemed  to  have  no  fear  of  the  lone- 
iness  that  he  was  sure  to  experience;  saying  to 
one  sister  that  "nobody  is  more  afraid  of  bad  com- 
panionship," and  to  another,  "  I  won't  get  married, 
if  I  can  help  it,  till  I  have  explored  the  Indies 
myself  alone  first." 

To  relieve  the  tedium  of  the  voyage  and  hap- 
pily surprise  him  when  he  arrived  at  his  new  home, 
his  friends  wrote  letters  and  notes  which  they 
either  put  in  his  hand  .to  be  opened  at  specified 
times  or  places,  or  hid  them  in  his  books  and 
clothing  and  other  goods,  where  he  would  never 
think  of  looking  for  them  but  would  sooner  or 
later  discover  them.  The  pastor  and  people  with 
whom  he  had  worshipped  in  Worcester,  and  es- 
pecially the  young  men  of  the  Sunday  School, 
provided  him  with  useful  tokens  of  esteem. 
Friends  who  could  do  so  accompanied  him  to  the 
ship,  to  take  their  leave  of  him  only  at  the  latest 
possible  moment.  He  sailed  from  Boston  on  the 
20th  of  April  on  \\\q  Jacob  Perkins,  sending  back 
the  following  note  by  the  tug-boat. 

Jacob  Perkins,  ^/r// 20,  1S47. 
My  Dear  Sister  Mary: 

I    have   your    two  letters,  and  one  inside 


Aetat.  24.]  Letter  to  His  Sister  Mary..  2)2> 


(roni  Oliver,  to  read  when  I  get  off.  All  is  bustle 
now,  but  I  feel  like  May  Inside.  Thanks  for  all 
your  kindness.  May  God  bless  you  all.  We  art 
to  leave  by  a  tug-boat  in  a  little  while.  There  are 
about  seventeen  in  the  crew.  .  .  . 

I  have  taken  my  writing  desk  out,  after  seeing 
the  last  of  my  friends  on  the  wharf.  I  hear  the 
bells  ringing  in  Boston.  I  saw  the  carriage  drive 
away.  We  are  now  at  anchor,  waiting  for  the 
steam-tug  with  another  vessel  to  go  along  with  us. 
The  sailors  are  making  their  usual  noise,  the 
steward  seems  pretty  well  in  liquor,  and  my  room- 
mate is  busily  making  his  arrangements;  he  has 
on  his  sea  trim.  ...  1  have  changed  my  clothes 
and  am  ready  for  sea  I  believe.  Have  just  read 
Sister  Mary's  and  Miss  Bull's  kind  letters,  for 
which  I  cannot  too  much  thank  them.  .  .  .  Maria's 
note  I  have  in  anticipation.  .  .  .  May  more  such 
meet  me  when  I  arrive  at  Madras.  .  .  . 

I  just  stepped  out  of  my  state  room  into  the 
Cabin  and  find  the  table  full,  the  Captain,  Pilot, 
Mr.  Bacon  and  two  young  men  who  returned  in 
the  steamboat — I  hear  them  talking — saying 
how  bad  it  is  to  leave  home  etc.  The  Captain 
said,  as  I  was  swinging  my  handkerchief  to  Julia 
and  the  rest  on  the  wharf,  "Your  sister  feels  real 
bad  to  part  with  you.  ..." 

I  have  much  enjoyed  a  few  minutes  in  com- 
mending all  of  you  to  our  Father  in  Heaven,  and  in 
praying  for  the  ship's  company.  I  feel  happy — I 
see  no  reason  why  I  should  feel  otherwise.  J  hope 
all  the  new  scenes  I  am  to  pass  through  will  teach 
me  more  and  more  the  goodness  of  God.  I  ex- 
6 


34  Letter  to  His  Sister  Mary.  [A.  D.  1847. 


pect  much  to  enjoy  writing  you  all  from  time  to 
time. 

The  wind  is  fair  now.  The  sails  are  hoisting 
and  the  pilot  about  to  leave.  After  he  has  left  I 
am  going  to  open  the  book  Mrs.  Sumner  handed 
me  this  morning.  I  hope,  Julia  and  Martin,  you 
will  have  a  nice  time  in  Roxbury  this  evening;  I 
shall  be  there,  and  on  Green  Hill,  and  at  No.  i 
Fifth  Avenue.  I  cannot  feel  too  glad  that  I  leave 
behind  me  so  many  friends  who  have  a  hope  in 
Christ.  Mrs.  Sweetser — I  must  send  a  messas^e 
to  her,  and  what  can  I  say  but  that  I  can  never 
forget  her  and  her  kindness.  The  singing  of  the 
sailors,  the  calling  of  the  sea  terms  at  the  top  of 
the  voice,  all  seem  quite  like  sea;  the  rigging 
creaks  as  if  glad.  I  have  just  had  a  smell  of  the 
Heliotrope,  which  stands  just  where  my  good 
friend  Mr.  Sweetser  put  it  with  his  own  hand.  .  .  . 
Good  Bye — letter  called  for. 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Dr.  Green  had  but  one  fellow-passenger.  He 
found  no  religious  sympathy  from  him,  or  from 
the  officers  or  the  crew.  Yet  he  tried  "to  be  the 
means  of  good  to  every  one  on  board."  He  be- 
lieved that  "faithful  dealing  towards  others  is  a 
most  powerful  means  of  grace  to  one's  self,"  and 
that  one  can  be  happy  in  any  circumstances  if  he 
is  "proficient  in  Baxter's  method  of  contemplation 
on  heaven."  Having  finished  "Life  in  Earnest," 
he  hoped  to  be  enabled  "one  day  to  say  so  with- 
out   quotation    marks."       For    work    he    studied 


Aetat.  24.]  Voyage  and  Arrival  at  Madras.  3  c 


Tamil,  and  read  science  and  literature;  for  recre- 
ation he  employed  his  ingenuity  on  things  for  use, 
ornament,  or  keepsakes.  Sometimes  he  dissected 
things  taken  from  the  sea. 

On  the  30th  of  August  he  "smelled  the  spicy 
breezes,"  which   "seemed  like  a  faint  perfume  of 
the  heliotrope;"  and  the  next  day  "the  coast  of 
Ceylon    gradually    revealed   itself— the  near,  low 
coast,  then  the  line  of  sand,  then  the  nearer  high- 
lands,  then    the    distant    mountains,    and    a    few 
cocoanut  trees  relieved  by  a  light  background— a 
beautiful  green  line  as  far  as  the  eye  can  reach  on 
our    larboard."      On    the    4th    of  September    he 
landed  at    Madras,   being    rowed   from    the    ship 
by  "about  a  dozen  men  naked  except  a  cap  or 
turban,    and  a  piece  of  cloth   around  the  loins." 
There  he  found  "notes  for  readinor  before  leavino- 
boston  or  at  sea"  from  missionaries  still  in  Amer- 
ica, letters    from    his    brothers    and   sisters,    and 
"letters  of  welcome  "from  missionaries  in  Ceylon; 
and  there  he  had  the  first  glimpse  of  the  heathen, 
and  of  the  methods  and  success  of  labor  for  their 
conversion  to  Christ.      He  visited  the  Rev.  Henry 
M.  Scudder  and  heard  him  preach  in   Tamil ;  he 
observed  Fast  Day  with  the  American   Mission, 
and  took  part  in  the  services;  and  in  the  evening 
attended  a  love  feast  at  the  Rev.  Myron  Winslow's 
with  five  and  twenty  natives  who  were  thus  re- 


36  Journey  to  Jaffna.  [A.  D.  1847. 


nouncing  caste  for  Christ's  sake,  the  women  being 
much  abashed  to  eat  with  men.  He  visited  the 
Eye  Infirmary,  the  Dispensary,  and  the  institution 
for  paupers,  lepers,  idiots,  and  the  insane.  Through 
Mr.  Hunt,  of  the  Mission  Press,  he  made  the  ac- 
quaintance of  Drs.  Appleton,  Boyd,  Hogg,  John- 
ston, and  Wiley. 

Having  purchased  a  horse,  and  other  things 
needed  to  complete  his  outfit,  he  started  on  horse- 
back for  Jaffna  on  the  20th  of  September,  accom- 
panied by  Mr.  Hunt  and  a  retinue  of  necessary 
servants.  After  going  twenty-seven  miles  Mr. 
Hunt  returned  to  Madras.  "We  kissed  at  part- 
ing,"wrotc  the  Doctor,  "and  1  could  not  help  it  if 
I  would;  he  left  me,  for  the  first  time  alone  among 
the  heathen."  On  account  of  the  heat  of  the 
sun,  it  was  necessary  to  travel  in  the  morning, 
towards  evening,  and  in  the  night.  The  way  was 
strange  but  interesting,  leading  by  villages  "like 
weatherbeaten,  long  haystacks,"  across  broad 
streams,  over  desert  plains,  by  beautiful  scenery, 
and  affording  many  glimpses  of  native  customs. 
The  journey  of  two  hundred  and  five  miles  from 
Madras  was  finished  on  the  3d  of  October;  and 
on  the  6th  he  crossed  the  straits,  landing  at  Point 
Pedro,  the  northernmost  point  of  Ceylon,  in  sea- 
son to  be  driven  to  Mr.  Cope's  at  Valverty,  the 
nearest  missionary  station,  five  miles  west,  in  the 


Aetat.  25.]  Arrival  at  Jaffna.  Letter  to  Frie^ids  at  Home.  3  7 

evening.  The  next  day  he  took  a  lesson  in  Ta- 
mil, and  towards  evening  proceeded  west  nine 
miles  to  Tillipally,  where  he  found  Mrs.  Spauld- 
ing  and  Mr.  Hastings,  surprising  the  latter  by 
instant  recognition  before  his  own  face  was  seen 
in  the  light  of  the  lantern,  he  having  seen  Mr. 
Hastings'  daguerreotype  in  Boston.  Oi.  the  8th 
he  rode  west  from  the  station  of  Mr.  Poor  to 
Pandeterripo,  the  station  of  Mr.  Smith;  thence 
south  to  Mr.  Minor's  at  Manepy,  and  in  the  eve- 
ning west  again  to  Batticotta,  having  met  with 
the  warmest  welcome  at  each  of  these  missionary 
stations.  Here  is  his  first  letter  from  Ceylon  to 
his  "  Friends  in  America." 

Batticotta,  Oct.  9,  1847. 
Dear  Friends: 

Here  1  am,  having  been  mercifully  pre- 
served through  a  long  and  tedious  voyage  and  a 
wearisome  journey.  Last  evening  I  met  a  circle 
of  the  missionaries  at  Manepy, — Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Minor,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Spaulding,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Fletcher,  Mr.  Meigs,  Mr.  Scudder,  and  Miss  Ag- 
new.  .  .  ,  Am  going  to  investigate  what  there  is 
here  in  my  department,  and  get  things  in  train  as 
soon  as  may  be.  .  .  .  My  next  to  you  will  be  my 
Genesis  of  missionary  life. 

Just  in  time  to  begin  my  next  quarter  of  a  cen- 
tury here, — am  twenty-five  to-morrow. 

Love  to    all    from    your   son,  nephew,  cousin, 
brother,  and  so  forth, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


CHAPTER    III 


1847-1848:    ^T.   25-26. 


PORTUNATELY  Dr.  Green  had  already  seen 
almost  all  the  missionaries.  The  welcome 
they  had  given  him  was  grateful  to  his  spirit,  and 
he  fully  reciprocated  their  fraternal  cordiality. 
Weary  almost  to  illness  he  enjoyed  the  sabbath 
the  better  for  such  an  introduction  to  his  new 
home.  The  record  in  his  journal  shows  the  spirit 
in  which   he  entered  upon  his  work. 

"Spared  by  Divine  Mercy  I  complete  to-day  my 
twenty-fifth  year.  To-day  I  commence  my  sec- 
ond quarter  of  a  century  in  commencing  my  mis- 
sionary life.  If  permitted  to  see  the  close  of  an- 
other period  equal  to  that  passed,  may  it  be  with 
the  retrospect  of  diligent,  faithful  and  successful 
exertion  in  my  great  Master's  cause.  It  is  my 
fervent  desire  that  the  Lord  would  make  me  use- 
ful here  by  giving  me  an  influence  as  a  Christian 
physician  c*ver  this  darkened  people  among  whom, 
I  cannot  but  feel,  His  providence  has  distinctly 
called  me  to  dwell;  next,  that  He  would  give  me 
acceptance  with  the  missionaries  here,  and  their 


Aetat.  25.]  A  Remarkable  Case.  39 


confidence  so  far  as  'creature  confidence  is  prop- 
er (and  it  is  so  when  exercised  subordinately  to 
Himself),  that  I  may  uphold  their  hands  and  be  a 
comfort  to  them  in  the  great  work. 

May  the  flight  of  time  be  more  clearly  attend- 
ed to  by  me, — how  brief  it  is,  how  quickly  it 
passes,  and  how,,  momentously  it  terminates." 

The  day  after  his  arrival  at  Batticotta  he  was 
called  to  two  patients,  and  had  one  who  called 
upon  him;  and  on  the  fourth  day  he  had  "several." 
Whether  any  of  these  were  Tamils  is  not  certain, 
but  if  so  they  were  doubtless  connected  in  some 
way  with  the  Mission.  There  is  no  record  of  any 
more  patients,  except  some  in  the  Missionary 
families,  till  the  20th  of  the  month,  when  he  was 
"called  to  a  young  man  with  a  large  abscess  in 
the  left  groin."  This  brief  record  indicates  that 
Dr.  Green  was  not,  at  the  time,  aware  of  the 
greatness  of  his  opportunity,  and  had  no  suspi- 
cion that  his  success  in  the  case  would  establish 
him  at  once  in  the  confidence  of  the  Tamils;  but 
since  the  death  of  Dr.  Green,  one  of  his  Tamil 
students,  now  an  Assistant  Colonial  Surgeon,  has 
communicated  many  reminiscences,  of  which  the 
following  is  one: 

"In  the'year  1847,"  says  Dr.  E.  Waitillingam, 
"there  were  very  few  English  doctors,  and  none 
"among  the  Tamils  of  Jaffna  who  had  any  idea  of 


40  Letter  from  E.   Waitillingam.  [A.  D.  1847. 

"European  medical  practice.  The  Jaffnese  would 
"not  dare  to  gainsay  their  own  physicians.  ...  So 
"there  was  prejudice  and  ignorance  for  the  new 
"  Doctor  to  overcome.  .  .  . 

"  Mr.  Mutatamby,  a  Tamil  and  Sanskrit  Pundit 
"(my  uncle),  who  was  generally  the  Tamil  teacher 
"of  the  missionaries,  got  fever  and  was  suffering 
"from  it  for  a  long  time, — under  my  father  who 
"was  a  native  physician.  Fever  grew  worse  and 
"worse  daily,  and  suddenly  turned  out  to  be  some- 
" thing  else.  The  patient  was  left  for  a  few  days 
"without  treatment,  to  see  what  was  the  cause  of 
"the  bad  state.  All  hopes  of  recovery  were  lost.  . 
".  .  Other  native  physicians  were  equally  unable 
"to  solve  the  difficulty.  I  suggested  to  my  father 
"to  have  recourse  to  a  European  doctor,  and  al- 
"luded  to  Dr.  Green,  who  was  then  in  Batticotta  a 
"few  days  after  his  arrival. 

*' After  great  hesitation  and  consultation,  it  was 
"decided  that  Dr.  Green  can  be  invited,  because 
"he  was  a  missionary.  .  .  .  People  had  crowded 
"on  account  of  the  serious  state  of  the  patient  and 
"for  curiosity's  sake.  Dr.  Green  was  taken  to  the 
"patient,  and  the  crowd  was  dispersed,  .  .  .  Dr. 
"Green  pronounced  that  there  was  an  abscess  in 
"the  abdomen,  and  advised  immediate  operation. 
"  I  bravely  responded  to  it,  and  the  patient  also  was 
"willing..    He  discovered  the  abscess  and  cut    it 


Aetat.  25.]  Sudden  Reputation.  41 

"open.  The  patient  got  free  and  was  a  hundred 
"  times  better  than  he  was.  Dr.  Green  dressed  the 
"  wound,  and  attended  very  carefully  and  cured 
"  him. 

"  The  people  heard  about  the  success,  and  the 
"fame  of  the  Doctor  was  spread  very  soon  through- 
"out  the  peninsular  of  Jaffna.  The  people  began 
"to  talk  that  the  English  doctor  had  removed  the 
"bowels  out,  adjusted  them,  and  refixed  them.  .  .  . 
"From  that  day  forth  Dr.  Green  was  considered  a 
"demi-god  by  the  people,  who  all  flocked  to  him 
"afterwards  from  all  parts  of  Jaffna." 

On  the  25th  of  the  month  the  Doctor  had  a 
dozen  patients;  afterwards  "a  few,"  "enough,"  "a 
swarm,"  "a  rush,"  till  he  had  more  than  he  could 
attend  to,  though  they  came  early  and  waited 
hours  for  their  turn.  Often  the  night  afforded 
insufficient  rest  from  his  labors,  so  that  he  longed 
for  the  time  when  the  novelty  should  cease  and 
the  discovery  be  made  that  he  was  not  infallible. 
In  the  course  of  time^  however,  he  found  the 
number  of  patients  was  not  so  great  during  the 
semi-annual  harvest,  because  then  attendants  on 
the  sick  could  not  so  well  be  spared, — which  is 
one  Df  the  milder  verifications  of  the  proverb 
that,  "The  tender  mercies  of  the  wicked  are 
cruel." 

In  addition  to  his  services  as  a  physician  and 

7 


42  Advantage  of  Medical  Missionary  Work.  [A.  D.  1847. 

surgeon,  he  applied  to  every  patient  the  spiritual 
remedy  prescribed  in  the  gospel  for  the  cure  of 
the  soul.  Until  he  could  get  command  of  the 
language  he  was  obliged  to  have  an  inter- 
preter,— one  who  could  readily  apprehend  his 
meaning  in  English,  and  communicate  it  correct- 
ly in  the  vernacular.  As  this  subjection  to  reli- 
gious instruction  and  appeal  was  well  understood 
to  be  the  condition  to  receiving  aid,  and  yet  did 
not  repel,  his  experience  illustrates  the  advantage 
of  the  medical  missionary  in  getting  access  to  the 
ears  and  hearts  of  the  heathen,  their  relief  from 
physical  ills  being  specially  adapted  to  disarm 
prejudice  and  beget  confidence  in  him  as  a  spirit- 
ual friend  and  teacher.  He  had  opportunity  not 
only  to  explain  how  all  diseases  are  fundamental- 
ly attributable  to  sin  as  the  cause,  but  often  to 
show  the  immediate  connection  between  specific 
troubles  and  specific  sins.  This  double  work  with 
patients  was  done  mainly  at  his  "back  door  when 
they  came  for  medical  aid,"  but  sometimes  at  the 
houses  of  the  more  unfortunate.  Thus  he  daily 
preached  the  gospel,  and  often  to  as  many  as  a 
mere  evangelist  would  get  to  hear  him  on  stated 
occasions. 

This,  however,  though  it  may  seem  enough, 
was  not  all  his  work.  It  was  fortunate  that  he 
found  relief  in  a  variation  of  duties, — such  as  at- 


Aetat.  25.1  Preaching  and  Healing.  43 

tending  the  regular  business  meetings  held  at  each 
station  in  turn,  visiting  every  station  at  the  call  of 
the  families  or  persons  belonging  to  the  Mission, 
conductino-  in  his  turn  the  meetings  of  the  church 
and  people  who  understood  English,  and  address- 
ing the  natives  assembled  on  Sundays  in  "the 
school  bungalows."  It  was  awkward  to  preach 
through  an  interpreter,  and,  besides,  there  was  the 
embarrassment  of  a  curious  distinction :  the  people 
regarded  preaching  through  an  interpreter  as  paid 
for,  and  therefore  would  hear  it  respectfully  for 
the  fortunate  interpreter's  sake.  Fortunately 
many  of  the  people  could  read,  and  the  Doctor 
supplemented  his  instruction  and  appeals  with 
religious  tracts.  His  two-fold  office  was  well  fit- 
ted to  increase  his  influence  in  each  capacity, 
making  him  known  always  as  a  missionary  while 
he  sought  to  relieve  them  of  physical  sufferings, 
and  always  as  a  physician  while  he  sought  to  lead 
them  to  repentance  for  their  sins  and  to  faith  in 
Christ  as  the  only  Saviour. 

By  a  vote  of  the  Mission  Dr.  Green  removed 
early  in  February  to  Manepy — about  five  miles 
nearer  the  other  stations.  He  was  hardly  settled 
here  before  patients  were  again  "thronging"  him. 

ThouQ^hhe  had  found  little  time  to  brood  over 
his  separation  from  friends,  yet  it  was  a  great  satis- 
faction to  have  proved  that  "  the  line  of  love  that 


44  Letter  to  His  Sister  Mary.  I  A.  D.  1848. 


stretches  from  friend  to  friend  and  binds  their 
hearts  is  truly  strengthened  by  increase  of  dis- 
tance."    To  his  sister  he  wrote: 

Manepy,  Feb.  5,  1848. 
My  Dear  Sister  Mary: 

.  .  .  When  your  welcome  package  was 
placed  in  my  hands  ...  I  took  the  sheets  to  a 
place  by  myself,  and  as  I  read  of  you  all,  my  heart 
filled  my  throat  and  the  water  my  eyes.  I  believe 
I  never  more  fervently  thanked  God  than  for 
this — the  assurance  that  all  was  well  with  you  and 
that  you  knew  definitely  of  my  arrival  in  India. 
Ere  this,  I  presume,  you  have  learned  of  my  jour- 
ney from  Madras,  and  my  being  at  last  in  Cey- 
lon. .  .  . 

Affectionately,  your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

At  Manepy  stands  a  celebrated  temple  of  Pu- 
liar.  Within  a  few  weeks  of  his  settlement  there 
Doctor  Green  sa^  the  people  enclosing  it  in  a 
hedge,  erecting  near  it  temporary  sheds,  covering 
a  considerable  space  with  little  thatched  booths 
for  a  bazaar,  and  finally  coming  "in  files  over  the 
paddy  grounds, — on  the  banks  which  separate 
them  one  from  another, — twisting  their  bodies 
and  swinging  their  long  arms,  staggering  under 
their  burdens,  here  one  almost  naked,  there  one 
enveloped  in  white  cloth,  and  all  shades  of  cloth- 


Aetat.  25.]  Heathen    Festival.  45 

ing  between,"  bringing  on  their  heads  baskets 
filled  with  things  to  supply  their  own  wants,  and 
to  sell  to  those  who  might  be  obliged  to  buy, 
during  the  stay  of  the  expected  concourse.  Sim- 
ple as  were  their  provisions,  rude  as  were  their 
preparations,  and  scarce  as  was  the  money  in  cir- 
culation, it  was  evident  that  the  people  who  could 
avail  themselves  of  the  opportunity  were  deter- 
mined to  turn  to  pecuniary  profit  the  great  festi- 
val of  the  year,  which  begins  about  the  25th  of 
March  and  continues  three  weeks  with  evident 
interest  to  the  end.  The  method  of  keeping  it 
appears  to  be  essentially  the  same  from  year  to 
year,  though  in  some  respects  it  is  probably  varied 
according  to  circumstances,  but  always  involves  a 
multitude  of  follies  and  absurdities,  and  probably 
abominations  also,  with  little  or  nothing  which 
civilization  could  approve  or  Christianity  fail  to 
condemn.  On  the  second  Sunday,  his  attention 
being  called  to  a  great  and  noisy  crowd  in  the 
road,  he  went  to  see  what  it  meant.  "  I  saw,"  he 
wrote,  "a  man  rolling  along  on  the  ground,  hold- 
ing in  his  hands  an  offering, — a  little  brass  vessel 
of  milk, — under  an  arch  trimmed  with  peacock 
feathers  and  painting;  behind  him  an  old  religious 
beggar  ringing  a  bell ;  before  him  another  bearing 
some  incense  burning.  The  poor  fellow  rolled 
over  and  over — his  black  body  whitened  by  the 


46  Letter  to  His  Sister  Julia.  [A.  D.  1848. 

dirt — for  about  a  half  a  mile,  and  then  around  the 
temple.  He  had  been  sick,  and  made  a  vow  to 
do  this.  He  got  medicine,  I  understand,  of  me; 
but  if  mine  did  him  any  good,  he  ascribes  the 
virtue  to  Puliar;  so  I  have  been  an  instrument 
perhaps  of  leading  this  man  to  serve  the  devil." 

During  the  progress  of  the  festival,  which  af- 
forded him  a  striking  exhibition  of  the  follies,  de- 
gradation, and  idolatry  of  the  people, — naturally 
so  repulsive  and  discouraging  to  the  Christian 
missionary.  Dr.  Green  wrote  as  follows: 

Manepy,  Api'il  1,  1848. 

My  Dear  Sister  Julia: 

...  I  feel  well  in  body  and  happy  in 
heart;  feel  more  and  more  every  day  as  if  I  am 
where  I  ou^ht  to  be.  .  .  .  As  for  beino^  home- 
sick,  I  have  not  known  that  feeling  since  I  left. 
.  .  .  The  trials  of  missionary  life  are  not  bodily 
but  of  the  spirit, — the  hardness,  deafness,  degrad- 
edness  of  the  people.  All  one  can  say  of  Divine 
love  and  goodness  falls  unfelt,  apparently,  on  their 
ear.  .  .  .  The  work  goes  on  slowly,  yet  it  does 
advance,  and  this  with  the  promises  of  God  is  en- 
couragement enough  to  keep  one  in  the  field.  .  .  . 
Your  own  brother, 

Samuel  F,  Green. 

With  his  social  culture  and  refined  tastes.  Dr. 
Green  might  naturally  have  been  expected  to  feel 


Aetat.  25.]      Difficulties  in  Reaching  the  Heathen.  47 


disheartened  in  his  earlier  contact  with  heathen- 
ism. But  he  had  chosen  his  work,  not  for  the 
possible  romance  connected  with  it,  nor  from  any 
underestimate  of  the  disagreeable  thino-s  con- 
nected  with  it,  but  with  conscious  self-denial  for 
his  Master's  sake,  and  in  sympathy  with  his  Mas- 
ter's love  for  the  degraded  and  ruined  for  whom 
He  died.  In  a  very  short  time  his  interest  in  it 
was  such  that  he  began  to  appeal  to  others  to 
engage  in  it.  To  his  medical  student  in  Worces- 
ter he  sent  the  message,  "  not  to  give  up  the  idea 
of  being  on  mission  ground."  He  expressed  a 
desire  that  his  own  youngest  brother  would  study 
for  the  ministry  and  become  a  missionary. 

It  was  indeed  difficult  to  interest  the  people  in 
the  truth.  Their  religion  was  the  growth  of  cen- 
turies; like  the  banyan,  it  kept  the  latest  genera- 
tion connected  with  all  the  generations  preceding, 
back  to  its  original  germ.  All  their  traditions, 
customs,  opinions,  remembrances,  castes,  and 
pride  overlaid  their  consciences — already  defiled — 
and  made  them  well-nio;h  invulnerable.  With  all 
this  their  contentment  and  complacency  with 
their  religion  enabled  them  to  treat  everything 
else  according  as  it  seemed  to  favor  their  own 
selfish  ends.     Dr.  Green  wrote  of  them: 

"They  will  hear  patiently,  confess  that  what  is 
said  is  true,  often  perhaps  out  of  mere  complai- 


Heathciiis7n  an  Admonition.  [A.  D.  1848. 


sance.  If  they  think  it  will  'please  master,'  and 
they  can  get  anything  by  his  favor,  they  will  even 
ape  an  interest  in  one's  advice.  They  will  assent 
to  almost  anything  which  they  think  you  would 
like  to  have  them.  Tell  them  that  as  sinners  they 
are  in  danger  of  hell,  and  they  will  answer,  '  Yes, 
it  is  so;'  and  then  the  subject  passes  out  of  their 
minds.  Yes,  this  people  are  asleep;  and  talking 
to  dull  ears  is  wearying  to  the  soul.  It  requires 
more  faith  to  work  here  than  I  had  yet  imagined. 
One  sees  how  vain  is  all  human  effort  unless  God 
crowns  it  with  success.  That  is  all  in  His  hand, 
and  Christian  prayers  must  call  it  down." 

Missionaries  have  one  advantao^e  even  in  what 
is  commonly  supposed  to  be  a  disadvantage;  that 
is  the  very  heathenism  around  them.  A  minister 
of  the  gospel  may  be  profited  himself,  by  his  study 
of  the  Bible  and  his  study  of  the  sins  and  wants 
of  his  people,  much  more  than  the  people  them- 
selves. The  missionary  is  excluded  from  much 
of  the  worldliness  of  Christendom,  and  is  almost 
obliged  to  keep  the  heathen  before  his  mind  even 
in  his  study  of  the  word,  so  that  his  sympathy  and 
pity  towards  them,  and  his  conviction  that  only 
by  the  gospel  can  they  be  raised  to  a  really  better 
condition,  keep  him  very  near  to  the  heart  of 
Christ. 

As    early  as   November  of    his    first  year,   Dr. 


Aetat.  25.  First  Students.    Study  of  Tamil.  49 


Green  had  received  two  young  native  Tamils  as 
students  in  medicine,  and  in  the  latter  half  of  the 
year  he  had  three.  One  would  think  he  had 
enough  even  for  a  robust  man  to  do  without  giv- 
ing medical  instruction;  but  system  and  persever- 
ance sometimes  accomplish  the  apparently  im- 
possible. Besides,  it  is  a  part  of  the  missionary 
policy  to  raise  up  a  native  ministry  not  only,  but 
native  physicians, — with  a  view  to  enable  the 
people  to  carry  on  the  institutions  of  the  Christian 
religion  and  its  consequent  civilization  without 
foreign  aid.  He  had  also  the  superintendence  of 
native  assistants,  educated  by  his  predecessor,  and 
located  at  Manepy,  Batticotta,  Oodooville  and 
Tillipally.  All  these  consulted  him,  and  exhibited 
their  registers  of  cases  treated,  when  they  applied 
for  medicines. 

With  so  much  to  occupy  his  time  and  consume 
his  strength,  neglect  of  the  Tamil  might  seem 
almost  inevitable;  but,  besides  a  systematic  study 
of  it  under  instruction,  his  daily  contact  with  so 
many  natives  was  favorable  to  a  constant  accu- 
mulation of  words  and  phrases,  and  to  a  rapid 
advancement  in  pronunciation.  Though  he  found 
it  a  difficult  language,  and  for  a  time  apparently 
more  difficult  the  more  he  learned  of  it,  yet,  after 
eight  months  upon  the  ground,  he  was  able  to 
speak  it,  with  a  good  deal  of  freedom,  as  learned 


^o  Advance  in  the  Language,  [A.  D.  1848. 

by  the  ear,  and  had  advanced  in  it  by  the  eye  "far 
enough  to  make  it  interesting  to  hear  an  inter- 
preter twist  English  into  Tamil."  A  few  riionths 
later  he  could  understand  nearly  all  of  a  sermon 
preached  in  the  vernacular.  But  much  as  he  had 
gained,  there  yet  remained  very  much  to  acquire. 


CHAPTER    IV 


1848-185O:    ^T.   26-28. 


"pXCEPT  in  such  variation  as  experience  sug- 
gested, and  such  additional  duties  as  neces- 
sity or  expediency  imposed,  the  second  year  of 
Dr.  Green's  missionary  life  was  very  much  like 
the  first.  He  gave  Tickets,  with  a  synopsis  of 
the  gospel  and  some  directions  in  regard  to  health 
printed  upon  them,  to  his  patients,  which  he  re- 
quired them  to  keep  and  bring  to  him  whenever 
they  should  apply  again  for  medical  aid, — hoping 
that  by  thus  keeping  them  in  their  possession 
they  might  read  and  heed  the  instructions  for  both 
body  and  soul.  He  was  this  year  one  of  the 
Committee  on  the  English  schools  of  the  Mission, 
and  had  special  oversight  of  those  in  Manepy. 
■  He  found  the  people  timid,  polite,  and  servile. 
A  note  from  an  assistant  asking  for  medicine  be- 
gan thus:  "Dear  Sir,  With  due  reverence  and 
awful  fear."  Perhaps  their  servility  was  an  inher- 
itance from  the  generations  oppressed  by  the 
Portuguese,  when  "the  law  favored  the  zealous 
priest  and  the  priest  made  the  most  of  the  law." 


1^2  Hindu  Triad.  [A.  D.  1848. 

Some  would  bow  down  and  worship  without 
scruple  any  one  who  relieved  them.  A  poor  per- 
son whom  he  relieved  by  an  operation  called  him 
"God." 

Though  their  morality  was  low,  the  people 
scrupulously  adhered  to  their  religious  customs,  no 
matter  how  filthy  and  disgusting.  "  The  cow," 
he  wrote,  "is  esteemed  a  sacred  animal.  I  shame 
the  people  by  asking  why  they  wear  that  stuff, 
which  they  call  divine  lime  on  their  foreheads 
and  arms — three  stripes  on  the  shoulder-joint  in 
front,  three  halfway  between  the  shoulder  and  the 
elbow,  three  midway  between  the  elbow  and  the 
hand,  all  across  the  arm.  The  stripes  are  in  threes 
in  honor  of  the  Hindu  Triad — Brahma,  Vishnu, 
and  Siva  [that  is.  Creator,  Preserver,  and  Destroy- 
er]. They  give  all  sorts  of  reasons — for  beauty, 
custom,  religion,"  thus  betraying  either  some 
degree  of  sensitiveness,  or  a  ludicrous  admiration 
of  ashes. 

As  Siva  is  the  Destroyer  he  is  the  one  to  be 
feared,  and  as  the  religion  of  the  heathen  derives 
its  power  from  fear,  it  is  natural  that  Siva  should 
be  exalted  above  Brahma  and  Vishnu  in  the  esti- 
mation of  the  people.  It  is  his  favor  they  desire, 
and  his  displeasure  they  fear;  to  him  they  erect 
temples,  and  him  they  serve  though  under  the 
names  of  his  deputies. 


Aetat.  25.]  Superstitious  merits.  53 

"It  is,"  he  wrote,  "amusing  to  see  a  mop  of  elf- 
locks  poked  over  by  one  in  search  of  those  ani- 
mated ideas  that  sometimes  wander  through  the 
human  hair.  Hunting  and  killing  them  for  an- 
other is  a  charity.  One  must  not  complain  of 
being  tired,  for  that  would  lesson  the  merit;  must 
not  wash  the  hands  after  the  work,  as  that  would 
destroy  the  merit;  must  not  throw  them  in  the 
fire,  for  they  will  then  multiply  in  the  beard. 
After  death  God  thrusts  in  and  leaves  a  pin  un- 
der each  fino^er  nail  of  those  who  have  not  been 
meritorious  in  this  employment.  If  after  death 
God  sees  marks  of  this  employment  on  the  nails, 
he  will  not  torment  such  by  the  pins." 

Though  so  careful  to  avert  physical  torture  in 
the  world  to  come,  however,  they  think  there  is 
great  merit  in  voluntarily  afflicting  the  body  in 
this  world.  In  sickness  it  is  not  uncommon  to 
make  a  vow  to  perform,  in  the  event  of  recovery, 
some  special  and  difficult  service  to  the  favoring 
deit}^;  such  as  breaking  a  great  number  of  cocoa- 
nuts  at  the  great  annual  festival  without  stopping 
to  rest;  rolling  on  the  ground  a  certain  distance, — 
on  the  road,  around  some  great  rock,  after  the  idol 
car,  around  the  temple, — carrying  in  the  hands  all 
the  way  an  offering  to  the  deity;  performing  some 
pilgrimage  involving  great  hardship  and  fatigue 
either  by  the  time  and  distance  or  by  the  torturing 


54  Confused  notions  of  sin.  [A.  D.  1848. 

conditions.  Sometimes  one  walks  on  edged  or 
pointed  irons  fastened  in  his  sandals.  The  Doc- 
tor once  met  a  pilgrim  returning  from  the  interior 
of  the  Island  to  the  Continent,  wearing  around 
his  neck  an  iron  frame  about  four  feet  square — 
the  base  of  a  pyramidal  cage  formed  by  eight 
strips  of  iron  rising  from  the  corners  and  sides  to 
an  apex  some  distance  above  the  head,  which  he 
was  to  leave  at  the  goal  of  his  pilgrimage.  "  When 
asked  for  his  collar  to  send  to  America,  he  replied 
that  to  go  home  without  it  would  be  like  climbing 
a  cocoanut  tree  and  then  coming  down  part  way 
and  falling  the  rest.  When  asked  about  certain 
things  in  his  ears,  he  said  they  were  part  of  his 
attire  as  a  devotee,  and  if  a  dog  pretended  to  be  a 
dog  he  must  wear  a  tail."  These  answers  sound 
like  ridicule  of  his  own  religious  service,  but  were 
doubtless  given  in  the  mistaken  sincerity  of  his 
defiled  conscience.  Before  biding  him  adieu  the 
Doctor  told  him  of  salvation  by  grace  through 
Jesus  Christ  the  Son  of  God. 

Their  notions  of  sin  are  very  superficial,  dis- 
torted and  gross.  "  Murder,  killing  a  cow,  and 
such  like  things,  are  sins.  I  suggested  to  a  drover 
to  kill  a  beef  occasionally  for  sale;  he  was  horri- 
fied at  the  sinfulness  of  the  act,  putting  his  hand 
to  his  head  as  if  the  sin  would  fall  there.  A  man 
had  a  finger  broken  off  by  his  niece:  she  went  off 


Aetat.  26.]  Letter  to  his  brother  John.  55 


to  the  coast  on  a  pilgrimage  to  bathe  in  holy 
waters  to  remove  the  sin.  One  man  said  he  had 
no  sin;  another  replied,  'When  you  see  a  fine 
bullock  don't  you  desire  to  get  him?  that  is  sin.'" 
This  reply  seems  like  a  dawning  of  the  notion  of 
the  sin  of  covetousness.  But  generally  they  seem 
to  have  no  notion  at  all  of  any  sin  of  the  heart,  of 
thought,  of  intention;  though  they  may  admit  the 
fact  of  such  sin  when  the  missionary  asserts  it. 
To  their  apprehensions  both  sin  and  religion  con- 
sist in  external  acts. 

To  his  brother,  long  absent  from   his  home,  he 
wrote, 

Manepv,  Jaffna,  Ceylon, 

27th,  Jan,  '49,  Saturday. 
My  Very  Dear  Bro.  John: 

I  received  a  letter  from  you  two  days  ago, 
dated  4th  July,  '48,  one  day  off  Valparaiso.  Last 
evening  I  looked  at  V.  on  the  map  and  read  about 
it  in  the  Gazetteer,  so  as  to  know  in  what  kind  of 

a  place  you  are  situated You  say   in  your 

letter,  "come  home."  Now,  I  can  give  you  more 
reasons  why  I  should  not  come  home,  then  you 
can  me  why  I  skoti Id  do  so.  I  feel  more  and  more 
convinced  the  longer  I  stay  here,  that  here  I 
ought  to  stay;  that  God  has  shown  me  it  is  both 
my  duty  and  my  privilege  to  remain  here  so  long 
as  I  have  health  to  be  useful. 

That  I  did  not  enter  on  missionary  work  rash- 
ly, without  previous  sober  reflection  you  may  be 


56  Letter  fo  his  brother  Jfllvi.  [A.  D.  1849. 


assured.  That  I  shall  not  rashly  leave  it,  or  so 
conduct  as  to  be  expelled  from  it,  I  look  for  God's 
help. 

I  know  that  missionaries  have  many  faults,  and 
I  have  seen  their  faults  perhaps  clearer  than  ever 
you  have. 

I  have  not  so  romantic  views  concernincr  the 
working  out  of  the  great  scheme  of  the  world's 
salvation,  either  in  regard  to  God's  chosen  instru- 
ments, or  in  regard  to  the  speed  with  which  the 
task  will  be  completed,  as  I  once  had.  But  I  have 
a  growing,  deepening  conviction,  that  the  only 
hope  of  this  people  or  any  other  heathen  people, 
that  they  will  rise  from  degradation  to  that  degree 
of  light  and  privilege  which  Christian  countries 
enjoy,  is  in  the  continued,  faithful  teaching  of  the 
Gospel  and  Science  among  them,  by  such  poor 
instruments  as  I  myself,  and  others  in  the  mis- 
sionary work.  If  it  be  a  small,  faint  hope,  still  it 
is  their  07ily  hope,  and  we  who  are  blessed  by  the 
light  of  Heaven's  salvation  are  bound  to  spread 
that  Light  so  far  as  lies  in  our  power;  and  "woe 
is  us"  if  we  do  not. 

If  the  instrumentality  was  perfect;  if  all  mis- 
sionary operations  were  carried  on  without  lack 
of  judgement;  with  the  constant  observance  of  the 
strictest  economy;  then  I  would  heartily  bid  the 
work  "God  speed,"  perhaps  you  say.  But  hold — 
God  has  chosen  for  the  work,  not  angels  but  men; 
and  all  human  action  is  faulty — the  best  men  are 
far  short  of  perfection. 

If  we  are  about  a  good  work,  let  us  "put  in"  as 
hard  as  we  can,  and  not  stand  and  do  nothing,  or 


Aetat.  26.]  Letter  to  his  brother  John.  t^i 

play  among  the  weeds,  because  the  only  hoe  we 
have  is  somewhat  broken  and  very  dull. 

Sinful,  imperfect  men  are  told  to  preach  the 
holy  Gospel  to  every  creature.  If  we  faithfully 
declare  God's  word,  our  responsibility  is  fully 
met;  if  not  one  soul  is  saved  in  consequence,  our 
duty  ought  not  the  less  to  have  been  fulfilled. 
God  tells  me  to  do  a  thing,  I  do  it:  He  looks  out 
for  consequences,  not  I. 

The  duty  of  preaching  the  Gospel  is  the  duty 
of  every  man  who  has  become  acquainted  with 
that  Gospel;  the  results  of  such  preaching  are  to 
be  educed  by  God.     Duty — Mine.     Fruits  —  God's. 

So  much  in  defence  of  my  being  a  missionary, 
and  to  induce  you  to  be  in  fact  a  missionary 
wherever  you  are. 

.  .  .  Let  me  tell  you  a  little  what  I  am  doing. 
I  came  out  here  to  take  medical  care  of,  ist,  the 
missionaries,  and  2ndly,  of  whoever  of  the  natives 
applied  to  me  for  aid.  I  began  registering  the 
names,  residence,  diseases,  and  treatment  of  these 
last  on  the  14th  Dec,  1847.  The  number  on  the 
register  to-day  is  two  thousand  five  hundred  and 
forty-four  (in  thirteen  months).  Many  of  these, 
surgical  cases  perhaps  one-third  of  them  or  more. 

I  have  removed  lots  of  tumors,  h'ave  operated  for 
cataract  several  times,  for  strangulated  hernia, 
once,  amputated  the  arm  once;  .  .  .  removed  sev 
eral  cancers;  amputated  fingers  and  toes  and  por- 
tions of  the  hand  several  times;  treated  a  srood 
many  fractures  and  severe  wounds;  attended  some 
very  bad  cases  of  child-birth,  etc.  '  So  I  am  not 
idle  you  see,  in  the  way  of  our  dear  profession. 


58  Letter  to  his  brother  John.  [A.  D.  1849. 


Together  with  medical  aid,  I  try  to  give  spirit- 
ual. I  am  one  of  a  committee  of  two  on  the  Eng- 
lish Schools  of  our  Mission,  and  shall  have  oppor- 
tunity to  do  as  much  in  that  line  this  year  as  I 
wish.  I  do  not  know  the  number  of  these  schools 
precisely,  they  are  as  many  as  a  dozen  more  or 
less,  besides  these  we  have  a  large  number  of 
Tamil  schools  for  boys,  and  others  for  girls,  and  a 
seminary  for  boys  at  Batticotta,  with  one  for  girls 
at  Oodooville. 

Wednesday  31st.  Last  Monday  I  removed  the 
left  upper  jaw  and  check  bones  for  a  cancerous 
fungus  in  the  antrum  filling  the  whole  mouth  and 
the  left  nostril.  Yesterday  couched  a  cataract, 
to-day  after  attending  the  most  necessary  cases, 
have  been  dissecting  a  fine  subject  with  my  stu- 
dents. .  .  . 

If  you  could  keep  a  journal  of  little  every  day 
occurrences — trifling  incidents,  showing  us  which 
way  the  straws  blow  across  your  path,  and  send 
it  to  those  at  home,  they  could  forward  it  to  me 
and  I  should  be  rejoiced  to  hear  from  you,  at 
least  quarterly. 

May  the  Lord  be  with  you,  and  may  you  be  in- 
clined to  cleave  to  Him.  With  Him  only  is 
security.  I  long  to  hear  you  breathe  the  senti- 
ments of  a  real  earnest  Christian.  In  years  gone 
by  you  once  talked  with  me  about  my  soul,  and 
tried  to  excite  in  me  desires  after  Heaven;  it  is  not 
so  of  late.  Do  settle  the  question  in  your  own 
mind,  guided  by  the  Bible,  whether  you  are  serving 
God,  living  for  Him,  or  fo^  this  world.  Dear 
Brother  if  you  are  a  Christian,  don't  be  a  half-way 


Aetat.  27.]  JLeiier  to  his  sister.  59 

affair.     In  the  day  of  death  no  one  ever  thought 
he  lived  too  much  for  the  Lord. 

It  is  a  fearful  thing  to  walk  through  this  world. 
I  am  dreadfully  afraid  of  falling.  But  God  will 
keep  me  safe  so  long  as  I  hold  upon  His  hand. 
His  aid  is  my  only  hope. 

Hoping  to  meet  you  in  Heaven,  both  of  us 
cleansed,  perfected, 

I  am  your  loving  brother, 
3d   Feb.  '49.  Samuel  F.  Green. 

From  Manepy  under  date  of  Fed.  7,  1849,  Dr. 
Green  wrote: 

My  Dear  Sister  Mary: 

Since  I  have  received  the  last  packet  of 
letters  I  feel  a  great  longing  to  see  the  writers, 
and  you  especially.  ...  In  many  ways  you  have 
shown  yourself  more  than  a  sister;  you  are  my 
mother-sister.  You  are  my  spiritual  mother;  but 
for  your  exertion  in  my  behalf,  your  earnest  pray- 
ers, I  might  now  have  been  a  vile  open  sinner, 
impenitent,  an  expectant  of  hell,  a  slave  of  fear, 
a  victim  of  depravity.  God  appointed  you  my 
angel  of  deliverance.  Your  seasons  of  prayer 
with  the  children  on  Sabbath  mornings,  your 
readings  of  "  Pike's  Persuasives"  during  the  Sab- 
bath evenings,  will  be  remembered  forever.  While 
I  used  to  listen  to  you  with  my  head  laid  on  the 
table,  apparently  drowsy,  the  truth  was  working 
in  my  heart;  and  I  will  be  encouraged  by  my  case 
to  tell  the  truth  to  those  apparently  unconcerned ; 


6o  Letter  to  his  father.  [A.  D.  1849. 


it  may  affect  them   notwithstanding  the  careless 
exterior. 

.  .  .  Your  lot  and  mine  are  both  appointed  of 
God,  and  He  is  leading  us  both  by  His  own  well 
chosen  path  to  heaven.  The  thoughts  of  meeting 
there  with  all  we  love  are  sometimes  almost  over- 
powering. It  seems  as  if  one's  bosom  would 
burst  with  the  emotions  they  enkindle,  and  that 
the  soul  would  take  wing  through  the  rent  veil  of 
flesh  and  soar  upward  to  her  God.  .  .  . 

With  deep  affection,  your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Dr.  Green's  father  was  now  in  his  seventy-third 
year,  and  apparently  in  that  state  of  indifference 
to  his  spiritual  welfare,  which  makes  one's  Christ- 
ian friends  peculiarly  anxious.  The  son,  who  had 
gone  so  far  to  preach  the  gospel  to  the  heathen, 
felt  constrained  to  pray  and  labor  for  his  conver- 
sion. His  letters  were  full  of  affectionate  plead- 
ings, which  probably  endeared  him  all  the  more. 
The  following  is  one  of  these  letters. 

Manepy,  April  7,  1849. 
My  Dear  Father: 

Not  for  want  of  inclination  has  it  been  that 
I  have  not  written  you  often.  How  I  should  like 
to  sit  beside  you,  with  our  feet  up  in  chairs  and 
a  basket  of  sweet  russets  between  us,  and  tell  you 
of  all  that  has  happened  to  me  since  I  shook  your 
hand  the  last  time,  and  hear  all  that  you  might 


Aetat.  27.]  Freedom  from  doubt.  6i 


say  ill  your  humero-serious  way.  But  it  is 
hardly  probable  that  I  shall  be  permitted  the  joy 
of  your  company  again  on  earth;  I  am  the  more 
anxious  therefore  to  talk  with  ypu  about  your  soul, 
and  to  point  you  again  to  Jesus  Christ,  the  way  to 
Heaven,  that  I  may  met  you  there.  For,  for  my 
own  part,  I  am  determined,  by  God's  good  help, 
to  reach  that  blessed  place. 

My  dear  father,  your  letters  are  pleasant  to  me; 
I  am  thankful  to  you  for  them ;  but  there  is  one 
feature  in  them  that  painfully  affects  me, — they 
speak  almost  altogether  of  this  world.  They  do 
not  speak  with  joy  of  the  world  to  come  as  a  place 
of  rest  after  your  hard  life  is  over.  What  theme 
than  this  more  appropriate  for  one  whose  head  is 
silvered  by  age,  and  whose  cheek  and  form  de- 
clare that  he  will  soon  be  launched  in  that  unseen 
eternal  world.  .  .  .  Excuse  me  if  over-earnest,  and 
put  it  down  to  the  love  of  your  affectionate  son, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

From  the  beginning  of  his  assured  acceptance 
with  God,  Dr.  Green  held  all  that  is  revealed  to 
our  faith  as  unquestionable  reality.  His  view  of 
heaven  was  that  of  a  home  where  everything  is 
perfect  and  adapted  to  the  highest  aspirations  of 
the  soul.  He  believed  with  Paul  that,  "  To  depart 
and  be  with  Christ  is  far  better"  for  the  Christian 
himself  than  to  remain  here,  though  he  felt  the 
importance  of  his  instrumentality  for  the  salvation 
of  others.     "  I  have  often  looked  forward  to  the 


62  Progress  m  Tamil.  [A*  D.  1849. 


day  of  my  death  as  a  desirable  point,  in  my  exist- 
ence, to  be  reached.  All  that  the  Christian  hopes 
for,  or  the  best  of  all,  lies  beyond  the  dark  valley. 
After  Christ  by  his  saving  influence  has  made 
one  to  be  '  not  of  this  world,'  he  becomes  a  mere 
pilgrim  bound  to  time;  with  the  world  he  has  but 
few  common  sympathies,  for  he  is  dead  to  it;  his 
attachments  are  all  in  heaven,  for  there  is  his  'life 
hid  with  Christ  in  God.'"  This  state  of  mind 
enabled  him  in  all  perils  by  land  or  sea  to  feel 
that  even  though  death  should  befall  him,  he 
would  only  the  sooner  come  to  the  fruition  of 
his  hope. 

Considering  how  fully  his  time  had  been  occu- 
pied, he  had  made  great  progress  in  the  Tamil  by 
the  beginning  of  his  third  year.  He  wrote:  "I 
have  now  got  so  far  that  I  can  begin  to  enjoy  the 
language,  and  see  the  ludicrous  usage  of  the  un- 
educated natives  as  it  differs  from  the  pUre  classic 
speech  of  the  refined.  A  vast  amount  of  labor 
has  been  expended  in  polishing  the  language  of 
this  people.  Having  naturally  acute  minds,  fond 
of  metaphysics,  arid  knowing  no  true  science 
upon  which  to  expend  their  powers,  they  have 
lavished  thought  and  ingenuity  on  their  vernacu- 
lar tongue.  It  is  said  a  man  may  be  a  diligent 
scholar  in  Tamil  for  fifty  years,  and  yet  meet  with 
works  in  the  language  which  he  cannot  read." 


9 
cU 


ta 


o    . 

Ot/5 


Aetat.  27.]  Preaching  in  Jamil. 


In  February,  at  a  meeting  in  a  school  bunga- 
low, he  made  his  "  first  set  talk  without  an  inter- 
preter;" in  March  he  began  to  conduct  family 
worship  with  the  servants  in  the  vernacular;  in 
May  he  preached  to  his  patients  in  Tamil,  and 
also  to  the  congregation  in  Panditeripo, — using 
his  English  manuscript  and  translating  in  the 
pulpit.  The  first  half  of  the  year  his  health  was 
such  that  he  felt  obliged  to  confine  his  religious 
work  mainly  to  those  who  applied  for  medical  aid. 
Even  in  this  way  he  conversed  with  many  per- 
sons from  different  parts  of  the  Province.  He 
found  many  who  seemed  to  be  intellectually  con- 
vinced of  the  truth  of  the  gospel,  but  few,  if  any, 
who  really  felt  the  power  of  it.  So  much  were 
the  people  in  the  habit  of  assenting  to  the  truth 
through  complaisance  that  it  was  not  easy  to  esti- 
mate the  impressions  made  upon  them.  He 
rarely  met  with  positive  opposition,  though  that 
seemed  preferable  to  the  prevailing  indifference. 

He  had  now  taken  his  Medical  Class  through 
the  second  year  of  their  course  of  study,  and  was 
introducing  them  to  practice  in  cases  for  which 
they  were  prepared;  opportunities  were  always 
frequent,  but  now  more  than  usual,  on  account  of 
the  cholera.  Not  all  who  have  the  cholera,  how- 
ever, will  have  a  physician.  "Some  fear  to  take 
medicine  lest  it  offend  their  gods;  refusing  medi- 


64  Early  coJistxration  to  itiissionary  service.  [A.  D.  1850. 


cine  and  taking  only  the  juice  of  the  leaf  of  the 
sacred  tree  over  Genesa's  temple,  mixed  with 
water."  They  would  rather  die  without  medicine 
and  take  their  chances  with  their  gods  in  the  un- 
seen world,  than  to  recover  by  the  use  of  medicine 
and  encounter  the  malice  of  their  gods  in  this 
world. 

In  a  letter  to  one  of  his  sisters  there  seems  to 
be  the  first  disclosure  of  that  full  consecration  he 
early  made  of  himself  to  the  cause  of  Christ  among 
the  heathen.  Thus  far  he  had  experienced  no 
regret  for  his  decision,  and  no  doubt  of  its  wis- 
dom. 

Manepy,  April  a^,  1850. 

My  Dear  Sister  Mary: 

Without  speaking  from  my  imagination,  I 
think  I  can  say,  that  for  a  long  time  previous  to 
my  entering  the  missionary  service  directly,  I 
considered  myself  as  belonging  to  it.  In  my  mind 
were  only  two  questions:  shall  1  stay  at  home  and 
work  and  earn  the  means  of  supporting  another, 
perhaps  several,  in  the  foreign  missionary  field,  or 
shall  I  go  to  the  heathen  myself  ?  I  felt  hardly 
fit  for  the  latter  either  bodily  or  in  my  character, 
and  settled  at  home;  but  God's  providence  made 
it  evident  that  I  should  never  fulfil  to  any  great 
extent  the  former  indication,  and  subsequent  pro- 
vidences have  shown  me  that  I  have  done  right 
in  following  the  latter.     Here  I  am,  here  I  wish 


Aetat.  27.]  Delight  in  his  work.  65 


to  be,  here  to  live,  here  to  die.  If  the  question  of 
health  should  ever  make  it  expedient  to  leave  this, 
I  should  wish  to  do  it  only  for  some  other  part  of 
"the  field" — to  go  to  the  Zulus,  the  Sandwich  Is- 
landers, or  the  Australians— wherever  it  might 
appear  best,  all  things  considered,  that  I  should 
go.  I  am  a  poor  stick,  I  know,  but  whatever  I 
am,  I  hope  I  am  the  Lord's  and  never  wish  to 
leave  this  blessed  service  of  making  known  Christ 
to  the  heathen.  .  .  .  Such  were  my  views  when 
leaving  home,  and  they  have  become  much  con- 
firmed by  the  fact,  that  as  I  have  since  got  a  good 
hold  of  a  difficult  language,  and  considerable 
missionary  experience,  I  am  more  obligated  (if 
jDOSsible)  than  ever  to  remain  in  the  work.  ,  .  . 

Your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Later  on  he  wrote  to  another  sister  that  "the 
faithful  servant  finishes  up  his  day's  work  and 
don't  wish  to  cjuit  long  before  the  sun  is  down. 
It  is  very  easy  to  receive  wages;  it  ought  to  be  as 
easy,  and,  more  than  easy,  it  ought  to  be  a  delight 
to  us  to  serve  and  work  hard  for  so  good  a  Master 
as  ours."  He  seems  never  to  have  had  a  doubt 
of  his  divine  call  to  his  work,  and  alw^ays,  so  long 
as  health  would  permit  him  to  labor,  to  have  been 
unwilling  to  relinquish  it  for  any  consideration  of 
ease  or  gain  or  pleasure  or  love  of  kindred  and 
friends.     He  felt  that  he  was  not  his  own. 


66  His  wav  tvith  the  Brahmins.  [A.  D.  1850. 


The  Brahmins  found  him  no  respecter  of  per- 
sons; he  had  a  quick  perception  of  the  ludicrous, 
and  could  take  down  their  pride  and  conceit  with 
unexpected  drollery  and  facetiousness;  but  he 
would  not  consent,  even  by  an  external  act,  to 
any  of  their  assumptions  of  superiority.  If  desired 
to  feel  one's  pulse  through  silk,  so  as  not  to  im- 
part pollution,  he  refused.  He  said  "one  of  them 
lay  in  a  litter  with  a  broken  leg;  I  talked  to  him, 
joked  him,  pinched  him  in  the  ribs;  and  gave  him 
the  gospel  in  as  pleasant  a  way  as  I  could.  I 
like  to  make  free  with  them,  and  show  to  the 
people  that  they  are  in  reality  a  little  short  of  di- 
vine beings. 

"A  Brahmin  wished  me  to  examine  his  wife's 
case  when  there  was  no  crowd  present,  and  to 
avoid  putting  my  fingers  or  any  instruments  in 
her  mouth.  I  told  him  that  I  should  not  touch 
her  more  than  was  requisite,  and  he  need  not 
fear  pollution,  for  I  should  wash  my  hands  im- 
mediatety  before ;  and  she  would  not  pollute  me, 
as  I  should  wash  them  just  afterwards.  This 
made  him  give  a  sorry  laugh." 

In  the  autumn  Dr.  Green  wrote  that  he  had 
received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Dyke,  the  chief  civil 
officer  of  the  Province;  "In  which  he  intimates 
the  willingness  of  the  Government  to  give  aid  to 
the  support  of  our  medical  department,  and  pro- 


Aetat.  27.]  Eiicfluragenient  from  governnient.  67 

poses  to  supplant  the  old  class  of  medical  sub- 
assistants  throughout  the  Province  by  young  men 
trained  as  Gould,  Evarts,  and  Waittilingam  have 
been.  This  proposal  is  the  greatest  encourage- 
ment I  have  yet  met  with;  and  if  I  can  get  a 
select  class  of  six  once  in  three  years,  I  shall  hope 
in  the  course  of  time,  if  my  life  is  spared,  to  stud 
the  Province  with  well  educated  physicians, — to 
be  men  thoroughly  drilled  also  in  the  principles 
of  Christianity."  On  submitting  the  proposal  to 
the  Mission,  he  was  able  to  return  Mr.  Dyke  a 
favorable  answer — a  willingness  to  receive  aid 
without  being  obligated  to  any  prescribed  course 
of  operations.  Mr.  Dyke  was  a  philanthropist  of 
a  generous  spirit,  and  a  warm  personal  friend  of 
Dr.  Green. 


CHAPTER    V. 


1850-1852:    ^T.   28-30, 


T^ARLY  in  his  fourth  year,  Doctor  Green,  by 
vote  of  the  Mission,  removed  from  Manepy 
back  to  Batticotta,  and  into  a  new  house.  Thus 
far  he  had  had  an  average  of  two  thousand  patients 
a  year,  who  with  their  attendants  made  an  average, 
probably,  of  more  than  five  thousand  persons  to 
whom  he  gave  religious  instruction,  in  connection 
with  his  medical  practice.  Whether  the  spiritual 
results  would  ultimately  be  as  great  as  the  physi- 
cal is  a  question  which  they  who  were  walking 
by  sight  would  have  answered  in  the  negative, 
but  to  which  the  Holy  Spirit  may  yet  give  an 
affirmative  demonstration.  His  spiritual  efforts, 
however,  were  not  in  vain.  "  Where  I  see  a  little 
fruit,"  said  he,  "the  produce  of  the  soil  on  which 
the  missionary  labors,  I  am  comforted  with  the 
thought  that  in  God's  service  there  is  great 
reward,  and  trust  I  experience  somewhat  of  a 
realization  of  this  in  my  own  heart." 

Even  his  professional  work  he  performed  with 
a  sense  of  dependence  on  God,  with  prayer  for 


Aetat.  28.]        Dependence  on  God.     Superstition,  69 

His  blessing  upon  the  patient  spiritually  as  well 
as  physically,  with  the  desire  to  regard  it  himself, 
and  to  have  his  patients  and  their  attendants 
regard  it,  as  far  as  possible,  as  religious  w^ork. 
His  feelino;  in  reo;ard  to  this  matter  is  illustrated 
in  a  case  to  which  he  was  urgently  called  twenty- 
five  miles  from  home.  "  When  I  arrived  I  found 
a  most  distressed  household;  all  were  in  despair 
about  the  patient, — the  Doctor  and  all.  When 
I  had  successfully  removed  the  difficulty,  it  seemed 
as  if  a  most  dense  leaden  cloud  rose  up  and  left 
the  house,  and  some  rays  of  comfort  and  joy 
beamed  in.  It  was  a  moment  of  the  sweetest 
professional  reward  to  me, — better  tenfold  than  if 
every  second  of  it  had  been  a  guinea." 

Some  of  the  worst  phases  of  heathenism  are 
found  in  connection  with  the  diseases  of  the 
people,  the  supposed  causes  of  them,  and  the 
methods  of  treating  them ;  and  these  methods  are 
generally  as  senseless  as  the  causes  assigned  are 
imaginary.  They  have  superstitions  even  about 
the  injurious  and  fatal  effects  of  people  seeing 
and  talking  in  certain  circumstances,  and  call 
these  "the  evil  eye"  and  "the  evil  tongue."  They 
think  that,  "  If  a  man  gets  severely  injured,  and 
one  says,  'Oh,  he  can't  live,'  that  saying  will  have 
something  to  do  with  his  death.  "I  saw  a  fire  at 
the  junction  of  two  roads,  for  removing  the  effects 


70  Imaginary  diseases  and  treatments.      [A.  D.  1850. 

of  the  evil  tongue."  My  boy  said :  "  Suppose  one 
says  I  am  a  clever  fellow;  if  within  three  days 
afterwards  I  am  taken  sick,  it  will  be  in  conse- 
quence of  that  praise.  My  mother  will  take 
certain  mango  leaves,  salt,  red  peppers,  and  the 
dust  trodden  in  the  track  of  him  who  praised  me ; 
the  leaves  she  will  wave  thrice  round  my  head; 
the  salt,  &:c.  she  will  rub  on  my  body;  then  she 
will  carry  all  thrice  around  the  house,  then  away 
to  the  nearest  crossing  roads  and  burn  all  at  even- 
tide with  one  or  three  dry  palmyra  olas.  Then 
the  effect  of  the  evil  tongue  will  pass  away  and  I 
shall  get  well."  The  following  are  other  illus- 
trations: 

A  certain  man  made  a  vow:  his  cow  gave  a 
"great  flow  of  milk, — too  much  for  his  family, — 
but  he  would  neither  sell  nor  give  away,  fearing 
the  evil  tongue.  When  the  cow  was  put  out  to 
graze,  he  daubed  her  with  soot  to  ward  off  the 
evil  eye."  So  it  seems  that  the  heathen  are  some- 
times more  afraid  of  admiration  and  praise  than 
of  indifference  and  censure;  not  lest  they  be 
puffed  up  with  pride  and  over  estimation  of 
themselves,  but  lest  they  be  injured  in  their 
persons  or  property. 

"Akustier,  a  fabulous  person,  is  the  famous 
medical  author  among  this  people.  He  wrote 
ages    ago,   and    they    say  he  is  now    composing 


Aetat.  28.1  A  Yokee.     Native  doctors.  ji 

works  on  some  mountain  far  in  the  West;  that 
he  is  but  a  cubit  high.  They  follow  his  prescrip- 
tions unchangingly,  not  knowing  the  effect  of 
each  ingredient,  but  only  that  of  the  compound." 

"  A  Yokee — one  that  by  a  certain  process  of 
thinking,  ceremonies  and  so  forth  has  become 
holy — came  to  me;  said  he  was  a  god  and.  could 
create;  that  to  be  a  physician  a  man  should  be 
more  than  a  man;  that  he  could  teach  me  much." 

"  A  famous  practitioner  in  Manepy  brought  one 
of  his  patients.  I  showed  him  some  anatomical 
plates.  He  had  been  in  practice  forty-two  years, 
and  said  he  had  never  noticed  two  kinds  of  blood, 
black  and  red ;  that  he  never  saw  any  of  the  vital 
organs,  I  explained  the  heart  and  blood-vessels, 
and  their  connection  with  the  pulse.  He  had  the 
old  notion  that  the  pulse  is  the  motion  of  the  air 
within  the  body." 

Dr.  Green  received  a  call  from  a  young  native 
physician  "who  had  quite  a  reputation  for  driving 
off  devils."  This  kind  of  practice  was  of  course 
the  result  of  the  devil-worship  of  past  generations, 
which  had  not  yet  wholly  disappeared.  "  I  went," 
said  the  Doctor,  "to  a  little  shed  erected  to 
Vidoveer,  a  real  devil  and  feared  much  by  the 
people.  In  this  shrine  is  a  little  elevation  of 
dried  mud,  about  two  feet  high  and  square,  made 
like  two  steps;  on  the  upper  step  stands  an  iron 


Vidoveer  tcfnple.  [A.  D.  1850., 


trident  fixed  in  a  block  of  wood  and  about  a  foot 
and  a  half  high ;  and  on  the  lower  step  are  placed 
offerings.  An  iron  lamp  hangs  up  on  one  side 
from  the  roof,  and  a  piece  of  old  cloth  is  tucked 
up  under  the  thatch,  ready  for  wicks.  Fifty  or 
sixty  cock's  heads  are  cut  off  annually,  in  the 
night,  outside  of  the  shed.  Over  the  house  is  a 
margosa  tree,  in  which  this  male  devil  is  said  to 
live,  and  when  the  sun  is  too  hot  he  comes  down 
into  the  booth.  Many  left  the  neighborhood  of 
his  residence  for  fear  of  him. 

"  A  patient  suggested  to  me  that  his  sore  finger 
was  caused  by  witchcraft.  A  boy's  friends  had 
made  many  offerings  to  get  him  cured  of  a  fever 
sore,  supposing  the  gods  displeased.  I  saw  three 
men  just  at  the  corners  of  the  roads,  one  bearing 
a  torch,  one  a  cocoanut  and  knife,  and  another 
an  image  in  mud  and  trimmed  ofi"  with  leaves, 
flowers,  beans,  etc.,  representing  a  sick  grandchild 
of  the  old  Tamil  gentleman,  chief  actor  in  the 
ceremony — a  sort  of  a  scapegoat  idea;  by  the 
ceremony  it  is  hoped  the  sickness  will  leave  the 
person  and  enter  the  image;  it  is  conducted  just 
at  dusk  and  always  at  the  cross  of  roads. 

"  In  attendance  on  the  sick  the  physician  must 
mutter  mysterious  prayers  over  the  patient,  his 
remedies  forsooth  being  a  thing  by  the  way.  Mr. 
Minor   saw  several  men  digging  where  a  horse 


Aetat.  28.]  Charm.  73 

had  been  buried;  they  were  filling  up  a  recipe 
containing  no  less  than  seventy-four  ingredients, 
of  which  horse's  teeth  were  one.  Rhinoceros 
horn  is  used  as  medicine  and  generally  sold  in 
bits.  Wealthy  people  sometimes  get  cups  turned 
out  of  this  horn,  and  use  them  for  drinking  vessels 
with  the  idea  of  their  being  a  panacea. 

"  From  the  arm  of  a  goldsmith,  down  with 
fever,  off  and  on  for  a  year,  I  took  a  charm,  a  gold 
tube  with  which  was  a  sheet  of  lead  ruled  off  into 
forty-nine  squares;  in  this  diagram  were  written 
several  muntras,  and  under  them  this  prayer  to 
Siva:  "Devour  the  ill  star  Devathy  now  in  the 
body  of  Kanthar  Naganiana.  Save,  save  him  and 
and  his  life,  Swami,  (the  idol,)  I  invoke  thee,  save, 
save."  Together  with  this  were  put  sacred  ashes 
also.  The  Swami,  is  supposed  to  abide  specially 
in  this  mystic  seat, — which  is  tied  above  the 
elbow  on  the  right  arm, — and  to  chase  away  all 
intruding  devils  from  the  body.  The  family  seem- 
ed trusting  half  in  this  and  half  in  medicine  for 
the  man's  recovery." 

The  more  he  discovered  of  this  sort  of  heathen- 
ism, the  more  was  he  impressed  with  the  impor- 
tance of  his  department  in  the  Mission,  and  the 
stronger  was  his  desire  to  undermine  the  native 
system  of  treating  diseases,  and  to  deliver  the 
suffering  people  from  the  deceptions  and  cruelties 
of  their  traditions  and  doctors.  10 


74  N'ccd  of  medical  literature.  [A.  D.  1850. 


He  had  no  sooner  gained  a  good  command  of 
the  language  than  he  felt  a  strong  desire  to 
provide  a  medical  literature  for  the  Tamils.  He 
saw  the  necessity  of  medical  science  in  the  ver- 
nacular, in  order  to  their  deliverence  from  the 
barbarous  notions  and  practices  whicli  had  been 
the  heritaoe  of  successive  orenerations  and  aees. 
There  were  similar  if  not  greater  difficulties  in 
putting  science  into  their  language  than  there 
had  been  in  putting  the  gospel  into  it, — the  lack 
of  words  to  express  the  ideas  which  were  new 
and  strange.  .  The  Mission  had  already  done 
much  in  the  way  of  elementary  religious  literature, 
but  a  medical  literature  had  yet  to  be  created. 
When  he  saw  that  what  was  needful  was  also 
possible  and  practicable,  he  did  not  hesitate  be- 
cause of  the  greatness  of  the  undertaking.  He 
said:  "Aim  at  something  wisely  chosen,  and  seek 
to  accomplish  it  in  a  hearty,  thorough  manner; 
don't  merely  glorify  God  in  a  general  manner, 
live  to  purpose." 

Accordingly  he  was  soon  hard  at  work  on  this 
new  enterprise.  "I  am  about  starting  a  vocabu- 
lary, defining  the  English  and  Latin  terms  in 
Tamil.  Many  words  already  exist  in  the  language 
that  are  good  medical  terms.  Many  may  be  drawn 
from  the  Sanscrit  throuorh  scholars  in  that  Ian- 
guage,  and  many  must  be  coined  by  giving  the 


Aetat.  28.]  Vocabulary.  75 

sound  of  the  already  existing  name  in  Tamil 
letters,  I  wish  this  work  as  the  foundation,  the 
beginning  of  medical  literature  in  Tamil.  I  hope 
to  write  some  small  pamphlets  on  the  more  im- 
portant branches  of  medical  science,  perhaps 
accompany  them  with  the  gospel,  or  some  good 
religious  advice,  on  the  reverse  of  every  leaf,  and 
distribute  them  gratuitously  among  the  people." 

This  vocabulary  extended  over  all  departments 
of  medical  science,  —anatomy,  physiology,  chem- 
istry, botany,  etc.;  but  of  course  that  which  was 
needed  first  was  prepared  first.  His  method  was 
to  do  everything  according  to  the  best  reason  for 
doing  it  so,  instead  of  otherwise.  He  named  "the 
bones,  with  their  peculiarities,  from  the  shape, 
position,  use,  or  translation,  choosing  the  most 
brief,  descriptive  and  euphonious  expressions." 
In  a  similar  way  he  went  through  the  several 
branches  necessary  for  his  purpose. 

He  had  the  ability  to  set  his  students  to  work 
in  ways  that  would  greatly  assist  him.  He  ar- 
ranged with  those  who  had  graduated  to  take 
each  some  special  branch,  and  do  the  best  he 
could  with  it.  By  comparing  his  own  work  of 
putting  English  into  Tamil  with  their  work  of 
expressing  in  Tamil  what  they  had  learned  in 
English,  he  secured  the  best  test  possible  of  the 
correctness  of  his  own  composition  and  transla- 


76  Letter  to  his  sister  Mary.  [A.  D.  1851. 


tion  into  their  tongue.  He  was  at  the  same  time 
doing  a  very  wise  thing  for  them, — improving 
them  in  the  knowledge  and  use  of  both  lan- 
guages, increasing  their  knowledge  of  medical 
science,  initating  them  into  literary  work  for 
the  immediate  and  permanent  benefit  of  their 
own  people. 

Under  date  of  February,  6,  1851,  he  wrote: 

My  Dear  Sister  Mary: 

After  having  in  broken  Tamil  spoken  a 
little  to  the  patients,  I  have  left  Danforth  to 
preach  to  them  further.  We  have  a  sermon  for 
them  every  day,  except  Sunday,  at  nine  o'clock, 
giving  them  a  brief  account  of  the  way  of  salva- 
tion, and  combatting  their  most  common  errors. 
My  plan  is  to  preach  the  gospel  as  opportunity 
offers,  to  make  that  the  great  thing,  .  .  . 

I  have  a  good  class  of  students  coming  on.  I 
hope  to  have  my  doctors  stationed  through  the 
country,  well-read,  practical  men.  I  hope  they  will 
feel  bound  to  do  what  they  can  to  promote  med- 
ical practice  on  true  principles.  I  hope  to  rout 
the  superstitious  practice  of  the  native  doctors;  or 
at  least  to  begin  that  rout,  in  the  belief  that  ere 
many  generations  it  will  be  completed.  I  want  in 
my  day  to  give  an  impulse  to  change  for  the 
better  in  all  things  medical  in  the  land;  to  be  a 
reformer  in  my  department  here,  to  practise,  to 
write,  to  teach,  to  encourage  truth  in  medical  men 


Aetat.  28.]  Profanity  rebuked.  7  7 

and  things.     The  Lord  prospers  me  much  and   I 
cannot  but  feel  grateful  to  Him.  .  .  . 
Your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Though  distinguished  for  his  urbanity,  Dr. 
Green  was  faithful  and  fearless  in  the  discharge 
of  his  duty,  no  matter  with  whom  he  had  to  deal. 
On  the  1 8th  of  March  he  made  the  following 
entry  in  his  journal,  without  explanation  or  com- 
ment,  as    if   he    had    done    nothing    remarkable: 

"Rode  in  with  Mr.  A to  see  Dr.  Cowen's  child; 

rebuked  him  for  profanity."  This  appears  to  be 
the  case  thus  related  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  H.  M.  Scud- 
der  in  his  letter  to  a  sister  of  Dr.  Green. 

"I  remember  an  incident  which  will  illustrate 
his  original  way  of  doing  things.  He  was  driving, 
and  his  companion  was  a  young  officer  in  the 
English  army.  The  officer  interspersed  his  re- 
marks with  frequent  oaths.  Dr.  Green  apparently 
took  no  notice  of  this,  but  soon  began  to  interlard 
his  sentences  with  the  exclamation,  "Hammer  and 
tongs!"  "Hammer  and  tongs!"  The  officer  was 
troubled.  He  probably  thought  he  had  a  lunatic 
by  his  side,  and  deliberated  how  he  should  act. 
Finally  he  mildiy  asked  why  Dr.  Green  scattered 
these  exclamations  through  his  speech.  Dr. 
Green  gravely  replied  that  he  thought  it  quite  as 


78  Visit  to  Madras.  [A.  D.  1851. 

appropriate  for  him  to  fling  these  "Hammer  and 
tongs!"  into  the  midst  of  his  remarks,  as  for  the 
officer  to  use  his  oaths  in  a  similar  way.  No 
offence  was  taken.  I  beheve  the  officer  begged 
his  pardon,  and  I  presume  that  he  never,  to  the 
day  of  his  death,  forgot  the  rebuke." 

Early  in  January  Dr.  Green  had  received  per- 
mission from  the  Prudential  Committee  to  visit 
America;  but  so  long  as  he  could  work  efficiently 
he  was  not  disposed  to  avail  himself  of  it.  About 
the  last  of  June,  however,  he  felt  the  need  of  a 
changfe  and  obtained  leave  of  the  Mission  to  visit 
Madras  for  a  few  weeks  or  even  three  months  if 
he  liked.  At  Madras  he  received  many  courte- 
sies from  missionaries,  physicians,  hospitals,  the 
Medical  College,  and  other  persons  and  institu- 
tions. He  made  the  most  of  his  time  there,  "  in 
the  way  of  seeing  Indo-British  medical  practice." 
He  also  took  lessons  in  drawing,  and  making  casts 
in  plaster.  After  ten  or  eleven  weeks  he  was 
back  in  Jaffna,  "benefited  both  mentally  and 
physically,"  in  spite  of  seventeen  day's  travel  in  a 
bullock  cart.  From  the  way  he  occupied  his  time 
one  might  suppose  his  vacation  could  not  have 
afforded  him  much  rest;  but  his  notion  of  rest 
was  not  that  of  doing  nothing,  or  that  of  sporting; 
it  was  rather  that  of  a  change  of  occupation  and 
of  scene,  so  as  to  escape  from  an  exacting  routine 
into  work  at  will  and  pleasure. 


Aetat.  29.]  Government  Grants.  79 

It  was  now  about  a  year  since  Mr.  Dyke  had 
suesested  the  wilHns^ness  of  the  groverment  to  do 
something  towards  the  support  of  the  medical  de- 
partment of  the  Mission.  But  the  measuring  of 
red  tape  is  proverbially  a  slow  process.  Hope 
deferfed,  however,  was  unexpectedly  cheered. 
The  "Rev.  B.  Bailey,  the  Bishop's  chaplain  and 
committee  who  comes  from  Colombo  to  examine 
schools  in  Jaffna, — supported  by  Government 
educational  orrants, — q;ives  incidentallv  a  most 
eulogistic  account,  in  his  Report,  of  the  medical 
educational  operations  'of  the  medical  gentleman 
attached  to  the  Mission;'  speaks  of  one  of  my 
former  students  (Gould),  now  in  connection  with 
the  Government  Hospital,  as  posessing  'acquire- 
ments quite  equal  to  those  of  the  majority  of  the 
young  men  who  enter  the  medical  profession  in 
England,'  and  recommends  a  grant."  Mr.  Dyke 
also  sent  a  letter  suggesting  to  Dr.  Green  the 
propriety  of  sending  a  petition  to  the  Government 
for  a  grant  in  aid  of  the  medical  department. 
Accordingly  such  a  petition  was  sent. 

It  was  gratifying  to  Dr.  Green,  and  the  Mission, 
that,  at  the  beginning  of  his  fifth  year,  the  Colo- 
nial Secretary  announced  to  him  an  annual  grant 
of  fifty  pounds  sterling  from  the  Government  to 
his  department,  to  take  effect  from  the  1st  of 
January,  1852.     The  Mission  voted  him  the  use  of 


8o  Afedical  dictionary.  [A.  D.  1851. 

the  native  Helper's  house  for  a  hospital,  which 
stood  about  a  hundred  yards  from  his  house,  and 
had  four  rooms  besides  veradahs  and  kitchens. 

By  arrangement  with  Mr.  Spaulding,  his 
assistant  Dr.  Danforth  was  transferred  to  Oodo- 
ville  to  take  the  place  of  Dr.  J.  Evarts  who  was 
withrawn  to  assist  Dr.  Green  in  translation  and  in 
the  study  of  native  medicine.  After  finishing  the 
naming  of  the  bones  and  all  their  parts,  they 
proceeded  to  do  the  same  with  the  ligaments,  then 
the  muscles,  and  so  on  till  they  had  made  a 
complete  glossary  for  Anatomy.  The  work  was 
difficult,  but  all  the  more  interesting  and  profit- 
able to  him  on  that  account,  as  it  advanced  him 
in  the  knowledge  of  the  language.  He  was 
beginning  this  Tamil  Medical  Dictionary  just  as 
Mr.  Spaulding  v\as  publishing  his  Tamil  and 
English  Dictionary — of  nine  hundred  pages — of 
which  fifteen  hundred  copies  were  printed. 

The  first  work  he  selected  for  translation  was 
the  "Anatomy,  Physiology  and  Hygiene"  by  Dr. 
Calvin  Cutter,  of  Warren,  Massachusetts.  He  did 
not  propose  to  make  a  literal  translation;  but 
rather  to  make  the  book  the  guide  and  basis  of  an 
elementry  treatise,  "put  as  simply  as  possible  into 
the  native  lano-uaoe."  He  wrote  Dr.  Cutter, 
asking  if  he  would  furnish  him  with  the  illustra- 
tions, as  without  them   the  natives  would  find  it 


Aetat  29.]  Cuts  for  Anatomy.  8i 

difficult  if  not  impossible  to  understand  the  text. 
He  also  wrote  the  Secretary  of  the  Board  on  the 
subject:  "Some  gifts  of  cuts  illustrative  of  the 
structure  and  functions  of  the  human  body  would 
be  most  acceptable  and  useful;  with  them  we  could 
print  illustrated  books  and  make  pleasing  and  in- 
telligible to  all  the  large  reading  community 
what  without  them  would  be  a  difficult  and  dark 
science  because  so  utterly  novel  here."  Dr. 
Cutter  responded  promptly  and  generously,  and 
in  due  time  the  cuts  were  forwarded;  thus  re- 
moving the  only  doubi  that  embarrassed  the 
undertaking,  which,  said  he,  "will  be  a  long  and 
hard  job,  but  a  most  interesting  one,  I  anticipate, 
and  one  that  in  its  results  will  amply  repay  the 
labor  expended  on  it.  I  hope  to  see  the  time 
when  European  Medical  Practice  shall  become 
indigenous  here,  and  mostly  if  not  quite  displace 
the  native  system,  with  the  decline  of  which  much 
superstition  will  be  removed  from  the  burdened 
necks  of  the  people.  I  cannot  but  hope  that 
European  Medicine  is  gaining  ground  among  the 
Hindus.  The  Jaffna  Dispensary  registers  about 
three  thousand  patients  annually,  the  Mission 
Dispensary  about  twenty-five  hundred;  adding 
those  attended  by  assistants  at  other  stations  the 
total  would  exceed  six  thousand." 

The    desire  and    perseverance  of  some  of  the 


8  2  An  incident.  [A.  D.  1852 


native  boys  for  an  education  is  well  illustrated  by 
the  following  incident,  related  on  the  5th  of 
October.  "This  morning  I  was  touched  almost 
to  tears.  A  nice  boy,  about  thirteen,  has  been 
travelling  from  his  home  in  Katchai,  five  miles 
distant,  to  the  Chavagacherry  English  School 
daily  and  back  again  for  four  years  past.  He  has 
been  very  persevering.  The  night  before  the 
examination  for  admission  to  the  Seminary  he 
was  at  his  books  from  sunset  to  sunrise.  When 
the  failure  of  his  case  was  made  known  to  him, 
the  poor  fellow  sobbed  as  if  his  heart  would  break. 

He  and  his  father,  a  poor  man  and  head  of  a 
large  family,  have  been  anxious  and  struggling  for 
his  education.  Out  of  seventy  there  was  room  for 
only  thirty." 

In  his  report  for  October  he  gave  an  account 
of  a  census  of  readers  among  his  patients. 
"For  some  time  I  have  kept  a  column  in  the 
Dispensary  Register  to  show  the  number  of 
readers  in  the  comm^unity,  believing  that,  as  the 
applicants  for  aid  are  of  all  classes  and  ages,  the 
results  would  give  a  pretty  fair  average  of  the 
number  of  readers  per  cent  in  the  country.  Per- 
haps in  the  case  of  females  the  number  is  higher 
than  the  average,  as  many  of  such  applicants  are 
trained  under  mission  auspices.  We  find  in  eight 
thousand  applicants, 


Aetat.  30.]  Census  of  readers.  83 


Men 5779i     Readers  .  .  .   2455 

Women  .  .  .   1671,      Readers 51 

Children  .  .  550  under  seven  years  of  age. 
Those  children  who  could  read  are  contained  in 
the  sum  of  adults."  If  these  figures  maybe  taken 
as  an  approxinate  average,  in  the  422,000  inhabi- 
tants of  the  Province  there  were  about  132,000 
readers,  of  whom  more  than  2,600  were  women. 
As  in  18 16  there  was  but  one  Tamil  woman  in 
the  Province  who  could  read,  and  as  many  who 
had  learned  to  read  in  the  course  of  the  thirty-six 
years  must  have  died,  the  number  of  female 
readers  in  1852  was  prophetic  of  a  period,  not  far 
in  the  future,  when  the  education  of  women  would 
be  as  nearly  universal  in  the  Province  as  it  is  now 
in  Christian  countries. 


CHAPTER    VI 


1852-1854:    ^T.  30-32. 


'IpHESE  five  years  of  missionary  service  had 
brought  Dr.  Green  to  the  thirtieth  anni- 
versary  of  his  birth,  and  he  rejoiced  "that  he  was 
so  much  nearer  his  end,  which  is  the  beginning 
of  a  brighter  state."  He  could  now  preach  in 
Tamil  with  a  feeling  of  "great  ease  in  the  per- 
formance," translating  his  written  English  into  the 
vernacular  as  he  spoke.  Daily  intercourse  with 
so  many  patients  and  with  his  medical  students, 
daily  study  of  the  language  with  determination 
to  master  it,  and  translation  of  medical  literature 
into  it,  had  given  him  facility  of  expression,  and 
enabled  him  to  speak  with  confidence  in  the  cor- 
rectness of  the  words  he  used. 

There  was  very  little  change  in  his  routine  of 
duties  in  his  general  work  from  year  to  year.  So 
fast  as  his  students  became  able  to  assist  him  in 
the  care  of  patients,  he  gained  more  time  for  his 
special  literary  enterprise,  which  was  undertaken 
and  prosecuted  with  special  reference  to  under- 
mining  and    overthrowing   some     of    the    worst 


Aetat.  30.]  Successes  and  failures.  85 

superstitions  of  the  people  and  most  cruel  practices 
of  the  doctors,  and  thus  disposing  them  to  look  to 
the  Christian  religion  and  its  teachers  for  light 
also  in  regard  to  their  higher  need. 

It  was  his  endeavor  to  keep  as  nearly  as  possible 
abreast  with  his  profession;  but  at  such  distance 
from  the  centres  and  sources  of  medical  and 
surgical  improvement  it  was  almost  inevitable  that 
he  should  sometimes  be  a  little  behind  in  the 
treatment  of  some  disease  or  in  the  method  of 
some  operation.  Though  always  chagrined  at 
his  own  failures,  he  was  ever  ready  to  rejoice  in 
the  successes  of  others, — thankful  that  any  one 
could  succeed  with  a  patient  with  whom  his  treat- 
ment had  been  in  vain,  and  glad  to  learn  from 
any  source  how  to  avoid  a  repetition  of  a  discovered 
mistake.     He  wrote  to  a  sister: 

"  In  looking  at  Bennett,  which  I  received  a  few 
days  ago,  I  see  that  that  whole  department  of 
medicine  has  undergone  a  revolution  since  I  left 

America I  find  it  hard  to  bear  successes, 

and  feel  that  reverses — failures — do  me  more 
good.  How  kind  of  the  Lord  (I  have  sometimes 
thought)  to  benefit  my  soul  at  the  expense  of 
physical  suffering  to  a  patient." 

A  sentiment  expressed  at  the  ends  of  his  twen- 
ty-seventh and  thirtieth  years  now  reappears  in  a 
stronger  utterance.     "  I  long  for  deliverance  from 
1 1 


86  Spiritual  habit.  [A.  D.  1852. 


this  body  of  death  and  to  be  in  the  spirit  and  ever 
with  the  Lord.  The  dreams  of  many  are  enthusi- 
asm. The  enthusiasm  of  the  Christian  is  no 
dream,  but  in  reality  it  is  founded  on  the  Word. 
His  brighest  visions,  his  highest  hopes  are  all 
certain  of  fulfilment."  In  one  so  young,  so  free 
from  vain  imaginings  and  dreamy  speculations,  so 
devoted  to  the  temporal  and  spiritual  welfare  of 
the  heathen,  so  wise  and  enthusiastic  and  indefat- 
igable in  his  plans  and  efforts  for  their  good,  it 
seems  singular  that  the  "desire  to  depart  and  be 
with  Christ"  should  have  become  a  spiritual  habit. 
The  explanation  is  found,  not  in  any  inclination 
to  discouragement  in  his  work,  not  in  any  lack  of 
faith  in  the  ultimate  triumph  of  the  gospel  in  his 
field,  not  in  any  melancholy  in  his  religious  ex- 
perience, but  in  his  consciousness  of  spiritual 
things  as  the  most  vivid  and  profound  realities, 
and  in  the  brightness  of  his  anticipations  of  his 
future  state. 

In  June  his  work  on  Anatomy,  Physiology  a7id 
Hygiene  vjdiS  ready  for  the  press.  In  this  achieve- 
ment he  felt  a  twofold  satisfaction.  "  In  my  six 
months'  work  on  this  I  have  hit  two  birds — put  a 
good  thing  into  the  vernacular,  and  gained  much 
in  Tamil;  for  I  have,  from  the  interest  of  the 
the  thing,  applied  myself  more  closely  than  I 
should,  had  I  been  working  at  the  language  mere- 


Aetat.  30.]  Printing  of  first  book.  87 

ly — without  any  specific  object  in  view."  The 
book  was  three  months  in  going  through  the  press, 
requiring  his  close  attention,  not  only  in  reading 
the  proof-sheets,  but  also  in  superintending  the 
preparation  of  the  illustrations  of  the  bones,  arte- 
ries and  nerves,  by  three  cuts  executed  at  the 
Manepy  press.  "I  did  not  begin  to  imagine  the 
difficulty  of  getting  out  a  new  and  strange  subject 
in  a  foreign  tongue;  but  found  the  process,  though 
toilsome,  no  less  profitable."  The  plates  were 
received  from  Dr.  Cutter  too  late  to  be  bound  in 
the  earlier  portion  of  the  first  edition,  but  were 
inserted  in  the  remainder,  with  explanations  in 
Tamil.  In  about  a  week  a  quarter  of  the  whole 
edition  was  nearly  disposed  of,  and  he  was  much 
gratified  to  learn  that  "the  native  doctors  were 
reading  it  eagerly." 

This  year  there  were  two  classes  in  medicine, 
the  Junior  being  taught  to  some  extent  by  Dr. 
Evarts ;  and  as  the  Dispensary  was  cared  for  con- 
siderably by  the  Seniors,  Dr.  Green  was  able  to 
meet  the  demand  for  more  practice  at  the  homes 
of  patients  than  had  been  necessary  during  any 
equal  period  since  he  came  to  the  country.  Con- 
sequently he  suffered  more  from  the  exposure  to 
the  sun.  "The  direct  rays  seem  much  less  to 
affect  the  head,  than  the  reflected  rays.  The 
feeling  caused  by  them  goes  through  from    the 


88  Common  diseases.  [A.  D.  1853 . 


eyes  to  the  back  of  the  head.  Before  coming  to 
the  tropics  I  fancied  it  would  be  difficult  to  keep 
cool,  but  experience  proves  the  reverse,  and  that 
more  attention  is  required  to  keep  warm.  The 
breathing  a  rarefied  atmosphere  constantly  robs 
one  of  his  accustomed  tonic,  oxygen,  the  great 
sustainer  of  bodily  temperature. 

Among  the  diseases  of  the  people,  which  are 
not  a  scourge  like  the  cholera  and  the  small  pox, 
the  Doctor  found  "the  itch  very  prevalent  and  of 
a  virulent  kind,  but  no  disgrace  was  ever  supposed 
to  accompany  it. 

"  Cancer  of  the  mouth  is  a  very  common  disease 
here,  arising  from  the  habitual  use  of  quick-lime 
with  the  Betel  quid. 

"  In  the  dewy  season  there  is  much  of  fever  and 
lung  affections.  Even  the  sheep  die  of  pneumonia 
in  that  season,  so  very  trying  is  the  change  from 
the  hot  days  to  the  chilly  nights.  So  poorly  clad 
are  the  people  that  their  liability  to  these  troubles 
is  greatly  increased.  Often  of  a  dewy  morning 
have  I — from  the  cold  regions  of  the  North — 
gone  by  almost  chilled  in  flannels,  while  little 
children  of  the  tropics  stood  stark  naked  by  the 
roadside. 

"  Fever-and-ague  is  very  common  in  the  eastern 
parts  of  the  Province,  and  the  miserable  victims 
of  its  long  continued  attacks  are  very  frequently 


Aetat.  30.]  Causes  of  disease.  89 


seen — with  enormous  bellies,  shrivelled  members, 
bloodless  tongues  and  eyelids.  The  spleen  be- 
comes really  prodigiously  enlarged,  in  many  cases 
reaching  over  to  the  right  side  and  nearly  or  quite 
down  to  the  hip  bone. 

"  Many  of  the  wealthy  die  of  diabetes,  the  effect 
of  their  vegetarianism,  license  and  luxurious  in- 
dolence combined.  The  corpulency  some  of  them 
attain  is  wonderful. 

"  The  force  of  action  in  the  physical  system  of 
this  people  is  very  small.  I  have  been  surprised, 
on  feeling  the  pulse,  to  find  a  man,  under  a  recent 
severe  injury,  even  in  the  stage  of  re-action,  icy 
cold."  .  .  . 

Much  of  their  illness  may  be  ascribed  to  their, 
diet,  and  their  ignorance  of  the  laws  of  health. 
Even  "some  of  the  respectable  people  here  eat 
field  rats  as  well  as  bats  and  lizards.  It  is  curious 
to  see  an  old  man  take  basket  after  basket  of 
water  and  pour  it  over  a  child's  head;  although 
the  natives  may  wash  the  body  daily,  they  take 
what  they  call  a  bath  only  once  a  week  (some  of 
them  at  least),  and  then  they  wash  and  oil  the 
head.  Although  a  Tamil  gets  sick  by  his  weekly 
bath  of  fifty  or  a  hundred  baskets  of  water,  yet 
he  will  not  lessen  the  quantity." 

Having  discovered  the  prevalence  of  secret  vice 
among  the  natives.   Dr.  Green  prepared  a  tract 


go  Demand  for  book  in  India.  [A.  D.  1853. 


upon  the  subject,  published  it,  and  put  it  at  once 
into  circulation.  This  tract  was  not  only  timely, 
but  useful  enough  to  repay  abundantly  the  time 
and  expense  of  providing  it.  He  also  began  to 
write  out  a  brief  Natural  Philosophy  to  be  trans- 
lated for  the  village  schools,  and  expected  "plenty 
of  hard  work  in  getting  it  into  Tamil,  as  the  com- 
monest ideas  here  must  be  explained  and  intro- 
duced by  circumlocution."  This  he  relinquished 
on  hearing  that  Mr.  Sargent,  of  Southern  India, 
had  undertaken  a  similar  work.  From  Tinnevelly, 
in  Southern  India,  he  received  an  order  for  a 
hundred  and  thirty-four  copies  of  his  book  on 
Ajiatomy,  Physiology  and  Hygiene,  and  for 
seven  sets  of  Dr.  Cutter's  plates;  a  proof  that  his 
work  had  not  been  undertaken  too  soon,  and  an 
occasion  of  joy  that  this  study  was  to  be  intro- 
duced there  also. 

Though  loyal  to  medical  science  as  learned 
and  taught  by  him,  he  was  hospitable  to  every 
improvement  or  help  from  whatever  source, 
whether  Homoeopathy,  the  Water  Cure,  or  the 
experience  of  unscientific  common  sense.  He 
examined  every  new  method  in  surgery,  and 
adopted  it  if  it  commended  itself  to  his  judgment. 
He  had  many  cases  of  disease  of  the  eye.  Having 
'•couched  two  congenital  cataracts  successfully" 
within  a   short  time,  he  made  this  comment:      "I 


Ae  tat.  31. J  Need  of  rest.  g  i 

may  say  with  thankfulness  that  I  have  by  dint  of 
practice  become  quite  a?/ yizzV  of  such  operations. " 
Though  he  had  practised  other  methods,  yet  thus 
far  he  seeqns  to  have  preferred  this;  still  he  did 
not  like  it,  because  it  seemed  barbarous.  He  soon 
tried  another  method;  performed  his  "first  extrac- 
tion of  cataract  on  the  living  eye," — of  which  he 
said,  "  This  is  perhaps  the  most  delicate  operation 
in  surgery;  completely  successful;  I  scarce  expect- 
ed aught  but  failure,  but  the  Great  Physician 
guided  my  hand." 

He  was  unwilling  to  leave  his  work  till  com- 
pelled by  a  prudent  regard  for  his  health.  The 
climate  was  gradually  showing  its  ill  effects  upon 
him,  and  he  foresaw  that  at  the  expiration  of  ten 
years  of  service, — the  term  which,  as  shown  by 
experience,  usually  makes  a  long  furlough  ex- 
pedient,— it  would  be  necessary  for  him  to  seek 
invigoration  in  his  native  land.  In  writing  to 
his  brother  Oliver  he  said,  "  Here's  my  hand  to 
meet  you  (D.  V.)  in  1857,  though  if  before  that 
we  could  both  join  hands  in  the  Better  Land  I 
should  still  more  rejoice.  My  heart  is  full  to 
transport  when  I  think  of  it.  '  We  are  bound  to 
the  land  of  Canaan,'  and  Jesus  goes  before  and 
beckons  us  on."  In  May  the  Mission  voted  him 
leave  of  absence,  that  he  might  go  to  the  Pulney 
Hills  for  rest  and  recuperation, — a  favor  of  which 


92  Lettei'  from  Dr.   Sn/t/i/er.  [A.  D.  1854 

he  gladly  availed  himself  from  June  till  October. 
While  away  he  learned  from  the  following  letter 
that  his  friend  Dr.  H.  M.  Scudder  also  had  been 
obliged  to  give  up  work  for  a  time. 

[From  Dr.  Scudder.] 

00TACAMUND,y2/72t'  26,    I  854. 

Dear  Brother: 

Vegetable  diet  is  good.  So  we  have  proved 
and  approved  here.  I  start  off  on  this  bit  of  ex- 
perience in  the  hope  that  you  will  make  honora- 
ble mention  of  me  when  you  get  out  your  treatise 
on  this  important  subject. 

Thanks  for  your  letter  26th  December  and 
shame  to  me  for  allowing  it  to  be  unanswered  so 
long,  I  have  no  news  to  tell  you  but  that  I  have 
got  Emphysema  and  am  here' for  strength.  I  had 
bronchitis  with  it  on  the  plains,  and  so  persistently 
that  I  could  scarce  preach  for  some  time.  Since 
1  came  here  have  had  none.  .  .  . 

I  want  to  revise  my  medical  studies  here,  but 
can  get  but  little  time.  It  is  a  whirl  of  a  place 
and  1  am  tired  of  it.  Too  many  people.  In  the 
woods,  and  on  the  peaks,  and  by  the  streams,  and 
in  the  ferns,  and  in  the  ravines  it  is  very  fnie ; 
salutary  to  body  and  spirit  also  if  the  mind  can 
rise  above  the  mountain  tops.  ... 

I  am  quite  worn  out  with  watching  over  a  Ger- 
man missionary  .  .  .  He  is  yet  dangerously  ill. 
but  I  have  now  a  little  hope  for  him.  .  .  . 

Thanks  for  your  accounts  of  cases,  hints,  and 


Aetat.  31.1  Superstitious  practices.  93 

SO  forth.      Please  write  me  everything  valuable, 
as  1  am  delighted  to  learn.  .  .  , 

If  my  chirography  is  as  bad  and  as  difficult  to 
decipher  as  yours,  I  beg  you  to  reprove  me.  Love 
to  all,  even  to  your  future  wife  if  there  be  such  a 
,  person. 

Affectionately, 

H.   M.  SCUDDER. 

"The  H^ndu  religion,"  wrote  Dr.  Green,  "is 
interwoven  in  all  the  social  system.  Not  a  house 
must  be  built  but  the  astrologer  must  predict  the 
favorable  day  for  commencing;  and  for  a  long- 
time will  a  frame  stand  unthatched  till  a  propi- 
tious time  shall  arrive  for  tying  on  the  first  leaf; 
it  may  then  be  finished  at  leisure. 

"  The  custom  of  putting  two  ear-rings  in  each 
ear,  when  the  people  are  able,  must  be  observed 
on  an  auspicious  day,  and  one  part  of  the  cere- 
mony is  to  break  a  cocoanut  to  Puliar. 

"  In  Batticotta  the  women  will,  and  the  men 
will  not,  kill  the  centipede;  for  once,  as  a  woman 
tried  to  poison  her  husband  by  mixing  poison  in 
his  soup,  a  centipede,  falling  into  it  from  the  roof, 
prevented  his  eating  it  and  thus  saved  the  man's 
life. 

"I  observed  that  all  the  patients  in  the  bunga- 
low headed  in  on il  direction — towards  the  Puliar 
temple.     None  would  presume  to  point  their  feet 


94  Propitiating  ihe  gods.  [A..  D.  1854. 


thither.  One  boy,  who  had  been  educated  in  one 
of  the  Mission  schools,  disregarded  the  position 
and  lay  sidewise  to  the  temple. 

"  The  flesh  of  sheep  and  goats  these  people  do 
not  think  of  eating;  nor  do  they  kill  their  calves, 
because  they  firmly  believe  no  milk  can  be  ob- 
tained unless  the  calf  does  part  of  the  milking. 

"A  barber  in  Araly  goes  to  the  teniple,  be- 
comes siezed  of  the  god  and  executes  his  ven- 
geance by  beating  the  low  caste  people  with  a 
rattan;  this  is  a  sign  of  the  god's  displeasure,  and 
the  people  run  to  offer  sacrifices  and  get  rain.  A 
man  sings  and  prays  for  three  days  in  the  temple, 
and,  if  in  that  time  rain  does  not  come,  threatens 
to  cut  off  his  head.  For  two  or  three  nights  at 
sunset  the  people  drag  about  the  'great  sinner,' — 
an  eifio^v  of  the  one  who  so  offends  Indra  that 
he  will  not  give  rain, — and  in  the  darkness  burn 
it  in  some  wilderness. 

"  Mootayvi  is  the  personification  of  darkness, 
and  her  presence  brings  misfortune;  and  Eluch- 
vome,  her  younger  sister,  is  the  personification  of 
light,  and  her  presence  brings  prosperity.  If  a 
child  blows  out  a  lamp  by  his  mouth  he  is  re- 
proved for  want  of  respect  to  Eluchvome;  the 
child  is  taught  to  fan  out  the  flame  by  waving  his 
hand.  The  people  are  particular  to  light  the 
lamp    early  in  the  evening,  so  that   Eluchvome 


Aetat.  32.]  Death,      Cremation,  95 


may  enter;  if  the  house  be  dark,   Mootayvi  will 
enter. 

"When  a  person  is  dying  his  friends  send  im- 
mediately for  the  Brahmin,  who  comes  running 
to  the  house  with  sacred  grass  in  his  hand, 
sprinkles  with  water  a  place  on  the  ground  be- 
side the  sick,  spreads  out  his  handkerchief  and 
sits  down  upon  it,  calls  for  divers  articles  needed 
in  the  ceremonies;  several  Brahmins  stand  around 
and  respond  to  the  muntras  as  he  repeats  them. 
Just  at  the  last  gasp  the  tail  of  a  cow,  previously 
brought  and  backed  up  near  the  sick  man,  is  put 
momentarily  in  his  hand  and  held  by  some  one; 
then  the  cow  becomes  the  property  of  the  Brah- 
min. The  belief  is,  that,  if  the  man  at  the  last 
moment  gives  the  Brahmin  a  cow,  the  Brahmin 
will  cause  the  cow-goddess  in  the  other  world  to 
come  and  convey  the  soul  safe  over  the  fiery 
river;  and  this  faith  seems  implicit,  even  among 
educated,  polished  people. 

"As  we  approached  a  place  where  dead  bodies 
are  buried  we  saw  the  ashes  of  a  body,  and  the 
son  of  the  deceased,  with  a  Brahmin  and  another 
man,  standing  beside  them.  A  brass  pot  contain- 
ing money  was  at  the  head  of  the  pile  of  ashes, 
enwrapped  in  a  new  shoulder  cloth;  upon  it  a 
green  cocoanut,  fringed  below  with  a  circle  of 
mango  leaves.     This  represented  Puliar,  or  Gen- 


96  Heathen  Darkness.  [A.  D.  1854. 


esa.  In  front  of  this  were  spread  little  cakes, 
bran  of  rice,  rice  flour,  and  soft  boiled  rice  in  little 
heaps  on  a  large  plantain  leaf.  Two  wicks,  made 
of  rag  rolled  up  and  dipped  in  oil,  were  burning, 
each  on  a  heap  of  the  soft  rice, — I  understand,  to 
to  satisfy  the  devils.  Most  of  the  remains  they 
were  burying;  but  a  handful  the  Brahmin  put  in 
a  pot,  to  carry  to  the  sea  shore  and  throw  into 
the  water — in  order  that  the  ashes  may  float  into 
the  Ganges.  The  people  think  that  if  the  child 
does  not  go  through  all  these  ceremonies  the 
parent  will  not  reach  heaven. 

"  One  does  not  see  all  that  is  bad  in  heathenism, 
for  the  people  are  haters  of  the  light  and  carry 
on  their  orgies  in  the  darkness.  As  I  was  return- 
ing from  a  prayer  meeting  in  the  pitch  dark  of  a 
rainy  night  I  saw  five  or  six  men,  with  bushel 
baskets  of  firewood  on  their  heads,  and  a  new 
pot,  seized  by  the  brim,  in  their  hands,  on  their 
way  to  the  temple  to  boil  rice  to  the  idol.  If  it 
foams  up  nicely  when  it  begins  to  boil,  the  deity 
is  propitious. 

"What  can  be  viler  than  their  revered  sacred 
books!  A  person  could  not  translate  faithfully 
Koo-rul  into  English  without  sentencing  himself 
to  perpetual  infamy.  When  Siva  is  worshipped, 
the  Dancing  Girls  stand  by  the  idol,  so  that  the 
first  glance  of  the   Divinity,  as  he  comes  to  re- 


Aetat.  32.]  Hold  of  heathoiisin.  97 

ceive  his  honors,  may  be  one  of  pleasure.  Here 
you  see  the  worst  form  of  social  corruption  en- 
shrined in  the  very  Sanctum  of  the  community. 

"Oleanders  in  full  flower — pink,  red  and  white 
— are  daily  stripped  of  their  fragrance  and  beau- 
ty for  the  temples,  where  they  are  hung  upon  the 
senseless  idols. — To  talk  down  idol  worship  does 
not  require  much  acumen;  but  though  one  suc- 
ceed in  rebutting  everything  said  in  its  favor,  the 
work  is  not  done.  Behind  or  above  the  popular 
forms  lies  a  network  of  metaphysics,  fine-spun  and 
ingenious.  The  most  ignorant  know  nqthing  of  it 
save  that  it  exists,  and  they  consider  its  depths  of 
wisdom  as  immense.  In  this  lies  the  hold  of 
heathenism  on  the  masses;  on  the  enlightened  its 
chains  are  worldly  interest,  honor,  power,  wealth, 
and  peace  with  their  relatives.  The  position  of 
the  Brahmins  here  is  very  much  like  that  of  him 
who  stirred  up  the  people  to  cry,  'Great  is  Diana.' 
When  heathenism  sinks,  they  will  sink  with  it — 
from  deities  to-men. 

"What  then  do  we  see  in  India  but  a  huge  Ban- 
yan with  a  trunk  of  enormous  girth,  and  with  ten 
thousand  branches  reaching  out  in  every  direction, 
each  with  its  several  rooted  adjuvant  trunks  sup- 
porting it.?  And  this  tree  to  fell,  a  few  puny 
white  boys,  with  plaything  hatchets,  are  com- 
missioned. Wait  we  must  a  century  for  its  fall, 
12 


c)8  Hifidii  absurdities.  [A.  D.  1854. 

and  longer  too,  unless  that  mighty  Spirit  ap- 
pear and  make  by  his  own  divine  power  a  short 
work  of  it  in  ri^htiousness." 

O  A. 

The  Hindu  religion  is  perhaps  unsurpassed  in 
the  absurdities  of  its  ceremonies,  in  the  vileness 
of  iis  orgies,  in  the  number  and  extent  of  its  ram- 
ifications, in  its  power  to  blind  the  mind  and 
defile  the  conscience,  in  the  tenacity  of  its  hold 
upon  successive  generations.  In  times  of  danger, 
especially  in  alarming  sickness,  it  is  often  difficult 
for  a  converted  Hindu  to  resist  the  temptation  to 
go  back  to  his  heathenism;  indeed  it  is  a  great 
triumph  of  his  faith  to  trust  in  the  Lord  instead 
of  yielding  to  the  impulse  to  follow  the  example 
of  his  ancestors  and  of  his  friends  in  trusting  to 
something  which  can  be  seen  and  handled, — some- 
thing by  which  salvation  is  supposed  to  be  secured 
as  a  purchase,  or  as  a  reward  of  merit. 

Probably  no  missionary  ever  lived  among  the 
heathen  long  enough  to  discover  even  the  greater 
part  of  their  abominations;  much  is  visible,  and 
more  is  inferred  from  circumstances.  Enough, 
however,  is  open  and  common  to  enable  one  in  a 
short  time  to  see  that  their  condition  has  never 
been  painted  in  too  dark  colors.  The  more  it  is 
observed  and  studied,  the  more  is  the  need  of  the 
gospel  remedy  emphasized. 


CHAPTER    VII 


1854-1855:    ^T.   32-33. 


A  BOUT  to  enter  on  his  eighth  year  of  service, 

Dr.  Green  selected  a   Class  of  six  medical 

students.      He  met  them  at  noon,  having  prayer 

with     them     before    recitation;    this    hour    beine 

o 

chosen  for  a  season  on  account  of  the  unusual 
number  of  calls  for  his  professional  services  at  the 
homes  of  patients,  for  the  cholera  was  prevailing 
and  many  needed  help  who  could  not  visit  him. 
The  scourge  had  caused  the  harvest  to  be  neg- 
lected and  provisions  were  scarce.  Pestilence 
and  famine,  however,  had  no  more  effect  than 
health  and  abundance  in  inclining  the  hearts  of 
the  people  towards  the  true  source  of  relief. 
They  were  too  blind  and  weak  to  doubt  their 
traditions  and  abandon  their  prejudices,  though 
they  found  no  advantage  in  following  them. 
While  he  prayed  that  these  calamities  might  be 
overruled  for  their  spiritual  good,  his  reliance  was 
the  interposition  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  "  Before  the 
rains,"  said  he,  "one  might  almost  say  there  are 
no  frogs,  but  no  sooner  fall  the  heavy  showers  than 


loo  Cholera.  [A.  D.  1854. 

their  croaking  din  fills  the  air;  so  when  the 
favored  time  shall  'come  it  may  prove  that  in  this 
community  now  lie  latent  the  'seven  thousand 
who  have  not  bowed  the  knee  to  Baal.' " 

"The  people  are  exceedingly  frightened  at  the 
cholera,"  he  wrote,  "and  leave  their  friends  to  die 
uncared  for  often,  themselves  taking  benefit  ot' 
leg  bail.'"  When  it  is  prevalent,  or  seems  likely 
to  be  prevalent,  they  "put  margosa  oil  on  their 
heads  instead  of  sesamum  oil,  as  the  smell  of  it 
wall  drive  off  devils  and  prevent  cholera.  They 
firmly  believe  the  cholera  to  be  the  sport  of 
Ammarl,  wife  of  Siva;  they  fear  to  offend  her  by 
resisting  her  will  through  the  use  of  any  remedy. 
The  people  at  Caradive  loaded  a  raft  with  boiled 
rice  and  fruits,  and  by  enchantments  got  the 
cholera  devil  to  board  it,  and  then  had  it  towed 
off  into  the  mid  sea,  and  left  it  to  be  driven  to 
some  shore  or  other.  They  think  the  cholera 
was  formerly  confined  to  the  adjacent  continent, 
but  in  this  way  it  has  reached  this,  and  now  they 
hope  thus  to  get  rid  of  it. " 

The  26th  of  December  was  observed  by  all  the 
Missions  in  the  Province  as  a  day  of  fasting, 
humiliation,  and  prayer  for  the  removal  of  the 
pestilence,  and  for  a  spiritual  blessing  upon  the 
people.  While  five  persons  were  recovering  in  a 
convert's  house  two  remained  very  low,  one  of  the 


Aetat.  32.]  Death  of  Dr.   Poor. 


latter  being  a  "neighbor's  wife  deserted  and  im- 
posed upon  his  ah-eady  overburdened  hands  in 
this  distress."  In  the  Jaffna  District  alone  eight 
thousand  cases  of  cholera  and  twenty-five  hundred 
of  small  pox  were  reported  for  the  year.  On  the 
9th  of  January,  1S55,  there  were  at  the  Small  Pox 
Hospital  a  hundred  and  seventeen  cases,  "in  all 
stages  of  the  disorder,  a  horrid  sight." 

Dr.  Green  revised  his  Ticiket  on  Cholera,  and 
his  Tract '  on  Secret  Vice;  arid  sent  a  Tract  on 
Cholera:  to  a  special  committee.  He  directed  the 
physicians  at  Manepy,  Oodooville,  and  Tillipally 
in  the  use  of  the  Castor  Oil  treatment.  In  every 
direction  his  helping  hand  was  stretched  out,  as 
if  the  greater  was  thie  emergency  the  greater  was 
his  ability  to  meet  it.  The  spirit  in  which  he 
worked  appears  in  his  lamentation  over  a  single 
neglect — probably  under  the  temptation  ol  pres- 
sure— to  ask  for  divine  assistance:  "Undertook 
an  operation,  thought  it  slight,  too  trifling  to  pray 
over  (mentally);  failed  in  it;  a  lesson  to  show  me 
that  without  Him  I  can  do  nothing." 

Thus  far  the  members  of  the  Mission  had  been 
preserved;  but  on  the  2d  of  February  the  Rev. 
Daniel  Poor  was  attacked  with  cholera  and  grad- 
ually sank,  dying  at  an  early  hour  on  the  3d  in 
the  triumph  of  that  faith  which  he  had  so  long 
preached.     On  the  8th   Dr.  Green  discovered  in 


Dr.    Green  stricken.  [A.  D.  1855. 


himself  a  symptom  "not  safe  in  these  cholera  times," 
though  it  was  not  till  the  12th  that  he  was  violent- 
ly prostrated.  The  news  quickly  spread,  causing 
intense  anxiety  for  the  result.  The  brethren  of 
the  Mission  watched  over  him  and  cared  for  him 
with  untiring  devotion.  Mr.  Burnell  kept  a  jour- 
nal for  Mr.  Minor — then  in  the  United  States — 
noting  the  hour  and  minute  of  every  report,  and 
expressing  distress  which  found  relief  only  in 
acquiescence  in  the  will  of  the  chastening  Father. 
"  He  is  a  useful  man  and  is  much  needed,  and,  as 
you  know,  is  very  loving  and  lovable."  On  the 
morning  of  the  14th  the  crisis  seemed  to  be  past 
and  all  hoped  he  would  recover.  "Praise  God," 
said  he,  "for  this  new  token  of  His  loving  kind- 
ness." 

Mrs.  Smith  wrote  that  same  morning,  "  I  wish 
I  could  in  some  appropriate  way  express  my 
gratitude  to  God  for  his  great  mercy  in  hearing 
the  prayers  of  your  brethren  and  sisters,  and  spar- 
ing your  life.  Notwithstanding  your  great  'desire 
to  depart  and  be  with  Christ,  which  indeed  is  far 
better,'  for  us  it  seemeth  more  needful  that  you 
abide  here  for  a  season."  Invitations  came  for 
him  to  visit  the  families  of  the  Mission  and  lei- 
surely enjoy  their  glad  hospitality.  On  the  1 7th  he 
was  able  to  sit  up  a  short  time,  and  gained  daily 
afterwards.     At  the  critical  time  he  had  taken,  as 


Aetat.32.1  Letter  to  the  Mission.  103 


he  afterwards  expressed  it,  "  medicine  enough  for 
a  horse."  On  the  21st  he  sent  out  the  following 
message 

To  THE  Mission. 

To  ALL  THE  Brethren, — Salaam. 

Brothers  and  Sisters: 

For  all  your  kindness  and  sympathy,  your 
prayers  and  divers  kindly  ofhces,  allow  me  most 
unfeignedly  to  thank  you.     "  I  was  brought  low 
and  He  helped  me."    May  the  resuscitation  He  has 
vouchsafed  be  a  sort  of  resurrection  to  newness 
of  life,  even  though  on  this  side  the  river.     These 
chastisements,  though  for  the  present  not  joyous 
but  grievous,  nevertheless  yield  indeed  the  peace- 
able fruit  of  righteousness  to  them  that  are  exer- 
cised thereby.      I  should  indeed  be  sorry  to  ex- 
change the  experiences  of  the  past  week  for  the 
same  period  of  unintermitted  health,  though  they 
have  been  bought  at  the  expense  of  a  good  deal 
of  trouble  to  others,  for  which,  however,  the  Lord 
will  duly  reward  them.     May  the   Lord  in  mercy 
shine  upon  us  and  our    people,    and    cause    our 
hearts  to  rejoice  in  seeing  the  sickness  temporal 
end   in  the  health  spiritual    of    this    community. 
"  Promised  Spirit,  grant  us  soon  thy  gracious  aid." 

Truly, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


I04 


Near  death.  [A  D.  1855. 


From  the  time  of  the  earliest  symptom,  he 
seems  to  have  had  some  apprehension  of  a  possi- 
bly fatal  termination.  Though  he  thought  that 
by  rest  and  dieting  he  might  soon  be  at  work 
again,  yet  he  took  the  precaution  to  look  over  his 
will,  and  to  make  an  estimate  of  the  property  in 
the  Dispensary,  so  as  to  have  all  his  affairs  in  the 
best  shape  for  his  friends  and  the  Mission  in  the 
event  of  his  death.  When  his  case  began  to  look 
more  serious,  he  seems  to  have  taken  no  vigorous 
measure  until  two  of  his  brethren  became  slightly 
alarmed  and  earnestly  besought  him  to  take 
powerful  medicine  at  once.  His  own  account  to 
his  home  friends  of  his  experience,  after  some 
details  concerning  the  treatment,  is  as  follows. 

Batticota,  Feb.  21,  1855. 
My  Dear  Friends: 

.  .  .  That  night  and  the  next  day  I  was  in  a 
wavering  balance  between  the  grave  and  the 
house.  On  Wednesday,  the  14th,  it  seemed  evi- 
dent I  should  recover.  The  story  had  run  all 
over  that  I  was  dead.  I  had  a  real  longing  to 
die, — ever  since  Brother  Poor's  departure  it  had 
been  very  strong, — I  knew  to  go  "was  far  better." 
However,  my  mind  now  is  that  so  long  as  one 
can  live  (by  aid  of  medicine  if  need  be)  he  should 
live,  and  that  it  is  wrong  to  die  before. 


Aetat.  32.]  Sympathy  and  help.  105 


Brother  Lord  came  away  over  twenty  miles  to 
help  me.  Brother  Burnell  came  and  staid  with 
me  two  days.  Brother  Smith  watched  over  me 
at  night.  Brother  Spaulding  came  over  twice 
to  stay  with  me;  nice  old  gentleman,  so  soothing 
in  his  ways;  it  did  me  good  to  sleep,  feeling  he 
was  along  side  in  his  chair.  Brother  and  Sister 
Hastings  are  my  next  neighbors  and  so  kind.  I 
cannot  express  to  you  how  deeply  I  feel  the  ten- 
derness and  fraternity  with  which  E.  P.  Hastings 
did  everything  for  me;  dainty  bits,  fresh  boquets; 
watching  over  me  like  an  own  brother,  making 
servants  keep  things  nice,  with  his  own  hands 
arranging  this  and  that,  washing  me,  rubbing  me, 
changing  bed,  etc.,  etc.  You  know  I  always  have 
had  a  special  love  and  esteem  for  him,  but  if  pos- 
sible I  love  him  more  than  ever.  1  have  not  at 
all  felt  the  absence  of  own  brothers  and  sisters. 
The  whole  circle  have  been  so  kind  and  sympa- 
thizing. All  have  been  praying  for  me,  and  this 
is  best  of  all. 

Our  best  Friend  was  there  too.  He  sat  beside 
me  and  whispered,  "  I  am  with  thee. "  O  blessed 
Jesus,  I  wish  to  love  thee  more  than  ever.  He 
took  me  down  to  Jordan,  dipped  my  feet  in  "the 
swelling  flood."  He  has  brought  me  up  again. 
Blessed,  ever  blessed  be  his  most  blessed  name. 
I  cannot  speak  of  the  past  week  as  one  of  affliction, 
but  as  one  of  the  choicest  blessings  of  my  life,  a 
sweet  precious  season  never  to  be  forgotten  I 
hope,  a  foretaste  of  the  time  when  I  may  cross 
over  the  stream  and  be  for  ever  with  the  Blessed 
One. 


fo6  Expressions  of  gratitude.  [A.  D.  1855. 


I  am  still  quite  weak,  I  cannot  write  much,  and 
if  I  become  interested  in  thinking  upon  any  sub- 
ject it  occupies  my  mind  too  closely.  I  am  at 
the  Hastings'  now  during  the  daytime — for  a 
little  while,  sleeping  at  home  at  night  by  prefer- 
ence. If  you  could  only  see  how  they  have,  with 
all  the  ingenuity  of  kindness,  fitted  up  the  room 
for  me  to  stay  in,  it  would  just  give  you  a  glance 
of  their  most  thorough  an*d  unremitting  kindness 
to  me  all  through.  I  wish  I  could  think  of  some 
really  nice  valuable  present  to  ask  you  to  get  for 
them  and  send  with  a  note  expressive  of  a  sense 
of  gratitude;  but  they  are  so  recently  from  Ame- 
rica, and  have  been  so  loaded  by  friends  with 
nice  things,  that  there  seems  nothing  to  suggest. 

I  think,  when  a  little  stronger,  of  going  the 
round  of  the  stations  and  spending  a  day  or  two 
with  each  by  way  of  recreation.  Pray  excuse 
this  scrawl.  It  is  the  best  I  can  do  just  now.  I 
would  like  to  say  much.  You  may  well  conceive 
my  heart  is  full.  Besides  the  kindness  of  all  the 
circle,  that  of  Gould  and  Evarts  [both  Tamils] 
and  students  and  the  good  Murrays  and  of  Mr. 
Davidson  etc.,  etc.,  deserve  mention.  "My  cup 
runneth  over."  "Truly,  goodness  and  mercy 
follow  me  all  the  days  of  my  life." 
With  much  love, 

Yours, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Some  token  of  his  gratitude  and  love  called 
forth  the  following  unique  acknowledgment: 


Aetat.  32.]         Letter  from  Rev.   Dr.   Spauhling.  107 

Dear  Doctor: 

What  shall  I  answer?  I  was  always  afraid 
of  gifts  because  they  are  too  acceptable  and  be- 
cause "the  gift  blindeth  the  wise"  and  "destroyeth 
the  heart."  Now  you  know  I  am  naturally  near- 
sighted or  rather  short-sighted  and  need  no  more 
blindness,  and  as  for  the  heart  it  was  poor  enough 
before.  How,  as  a  professional  man,  you  could 
make  up  your  mind  to  take  advantage  of  my  in- 
firmities, even  for  once,  is  beyond  my  credit;  and 
then  that  you  should  repeat  the  dose  when  one 
was  more  than  enough  can  certainly  be  accounted 
for  only  by  an  extensive  acquaintance  with  the 
profession,  which  I  have  not.  So  not  being 
able  to  solve  the  mystery  I  may  be  allowed 
to  drop  it,  but  not  without  many  and  grateful 
thanks  for  your  very  beautiful  and  valuable  pres- 
ent, and  a  sincere  wish  that  you  may  always  enjoy 
the  sunny  side  of  your  work  and  of  the.  world  as 
I  do  that  of  the  Doctor. 

I  suppose  it  may  be  in  vain  for  these  grey  hairs 
to  sigh  for  the  youth  which  would  make  such  a 
present  practically  useful,  but  this  does  not  make 
the  article  less  valuable,  nor  my  feelings  of  grati- 
tude less  sincere. — More  than  ever 

Yours  truly, 

L.  Spaulding. 
OoBooviiAJE,  April  J,  1855. 


io8  Letter  from  Dr.  Scudder.  [A.  D.  1855. 


Nellore,  India,  May  2,  1855. 

My  Dear  Dr.  Green: 

Thank  you  for  your  letter  of  February  7th. 
I  hear  you  have  had  the  cholera  severely.  You 
should  rejoice  in  recovery,  for  there  is  much  to 
be  done  in  the  great  field.  .  .  . 

Did  you  know  dear  Leitch?  one  of  the  finest 
men  who  ever  trod  missionary  shoe-leather  or  any 
other.  He  is  gone.  He  departed  some  months 
ago.  ... 

We  have  four  children,  not  six.  We  should 
be  very  happy  to  have  you  come  and  see  us.  If 
I  confess  to  a  fancy  in  your  favor,  I  hope  I  shall 
not  shock  your  modesty. 

The  weather  is  intensely  hot  now.  A  man 
never  knows  that  he  has  so  many  pores  till  such 
a  fiery  stratum  of  weather  as  the  present  sets  in- 
numerable rills  in  motion. 

Our  dear  father  is  gone.  We  were  daily  look- 
ing for  him,  and  then  came  the  tidings  that  we 
should  see  him  no  more  in  the  flesh.  The  older 
and  better  ones  are  fast  going.  It  becomes  us  to 
gird  our  loins  and  to  pray  for  the  mantle  of  some 
holier  one  whose  departing  chariot  we  discern  in 
the  clouds  over  head. 

My  health  is  not  very  good,  but  much  better 
than  it  was.  ...  —  Your  affectionate  brother, 

Henry  M.  Scudder. 


Aetat.  32.]  Visit  of  deputation.  109 


Secretary  Anderson  and  the  Rev.  A.  C.  Thomp- 
son   were    deputed  by  the    American    Board    to 
visit  the   Missions  in   India  and  determine  what 
changes,  if  any,  should  be  made  in  the  methods 
of  carrying  on  the  work.     They  arrived  in  Ceylon 
in  April,  and  took  time  enough  for  a  thorough 
discharge  of  their  duties,  following  the  method 
which  they  had  carefully  considered  and  deter- 
mined   upon    beforehand,    and    discussing    every 
branch    of    the    work  with  the    brethren    of    the 
Mission.      It  is  not  necessary  here  to  speak  of  any 
changes  but  those  affecting  the  medical  depart- 
ment.    In  teaching  the  medical  students,  English 
was  to  be  excluded  so  far  and  so  soon  as  practic- 
able,— p-reatlv  to   Dr.  Green's  satisfaction.     The 
grant    by    the    Colonial    Government    might    be 
retained,    as    the    physician    was    not    strictly    a 
missionary  and  might  be  allowed  to  act  the  philan- 
thropist— using  funds  not  derived  from  the  Board. 
He  might  prepare  medical  text  books  in  Tamil, 
printing  them  with  funds  derived  from  the  local 
government,    from    philanthropic    physicians    in 
America,  and  from  any  other  legitimate  source. 
Dr.  Green  had  early  discovered  that  the  natives 
desired  to  be  taught  English  in  order  to  be  eligible 
to  lucrative  positions  under  the  Government;  and 
that  the  only  way  to  get  them  to  settle  down  as 
physicians   in  the  villages  of  their    own    people 

13 


no         Effort  to  make  Dispe7isary  self-supporting.     [A.  D.  1855. 


would  be  to  educate  them  in  the  vernacular  alone, 
at  least,  so  far  as  possible;  and  as  English  was  to 
be  excluded  from  the  Seminaries  at  Batticotta 
and  Oodooville,  he  was  greatly  encouraged. 

Left  so  largely  to  his  own  devices  for  raising 
funds,  his  first  effort  was  to  make  his  own  de- 
partment productive.  The  problem  perhaps  was 
not  altogether  new,  and  under  the  impulse  of 
necessity  at  once  took  on  this  practical  solution: 
He  wrote : 

"I  am  anticipating  before  long  to  make  an 
effort  to  put  the  Dispensary  on  a  paying  basis, 
getting  people  to  pay  for  their  medicines  first,  and 
eventually  for  the  physician's  skill  and  trouble 
and  surgical  operations.  I  think  of  putting  Reid 
and  Mclntyre  into  partnership,  and  letting  them 
get  out  of  the  profits  of  the  Surgery  and  Dispen- 
sary their  salaries  without  any  expense  to  the 
Mission;  let  them  alternate  weekly  between  the 
Surgery  and  Dispensary.  After  three  years  or  so 
I  hope  to  set  off  one  in  his  own  village,  and  as- 
sociate one  of  the  young  students  with  the  other; 
and  then,  after  a  while,  set  off  this  second  one  in 
his  village,  and  bring  in  another  young  student 
into  partnership;  and  thus  two  juniors  together 
will  carry  on  the  business  and  hand  it  down  to 
their  successors. 

"  I  intend  to  send  all  applicants  from  the  regions 


Aetat.  32.]  The  class  unsettled. 


of  these  set-off  practitioners  to  the  one  in  their 
neighborhood,  with  prescriptions  and  notes  of 
advice,  and  let  the  patients  put  themselves  under 
the  doctors'  care:  So  step  by  step  I  hope  to  get 
true  scientific  medicine  really  planted  in  the  land 
which  being  done  I  have  no  fear  as  to  the  result; 
but  confidently  expect  it  to  displace  or  greatly 
modify  the  now  prevailing  practice. — So  much  for 
the  plan,  which  may  be  more  or  less  varied  bv 
experience  and  circumstances/' 

"  My  boys,"  he  added,  "are  quite  unsettled  by 
the  change  from  English  to  the  vernacular,  think- 
ing their  prospects  of  getting  a  salarv  from  gov- 
ernment less  promising,  as  indeed  they  are,  as  the 
aim  is  henceforth  to  get  doctors  to  settle  down 
and  live  in  their  villaa;es.  I  orave  the  Class  a 
vacation  of  ten  days  to  settle  whether  they  will 
proceed  with  their  studies  or  go  to  some  other 
occupation." 

Before  the  Deputation  left,  they  had  the  satis- 
faction of  assisting  in  the  organization  of  the  first 
native  church,  and  in  ordainincr  and  installino- the 
first  native  pastor, — the  fruits  of  the  American 
Ceylon  Mission,  in  Caradive.  In  his  account  of 
the  services,  Dr.  Green  said,  "The  sin^ino-  was  in 
the  Western  style,  much  to  my  distaste:  I  wish  to 
have  a  begi7ining  of  this  kind  in  the  national  way." 
He  had  been  gratified  that,  in  an  informal  diseus- 


ti2  Declines  invitation  to  return  home.      fA.  D.1855. 

sion  of  the  question  of  foreign  or  domestic  music 
in  worship,  the  Deputation  had  favored  the  intro- 
duction and  cultivation  of  the  domestic.  This 
native  pastor,  CorneHus,  had  once  been  a  devoted 
Hindu, 

In  reply  to  his  sister  Julia's  appeal  that  ,he 
should  come  home  to  recuperate  he  wrote:  "  I  have 
spent  too  much  time  in  getting  the  language,  and 
in  getting  here,  to  run  home  before  having  really 
accomplished  something.  If  I  can  leave  behind 
a  series  of  medical  text-books  in  the  vernacular  I 
shall  feel  as  if  something  permanent  has  been 
done.  If  I  can  stay  out  my  ten  years,  I  would 
prefer  to  do  so."  His  reply  to  another  sister  is  of 
like  tenor. 

Batticotta,  y?^/K  1 6,  1855. 

My  Dear  Sister  Mary: 

.  .  .  .In  regard  to  my  return  to  America,  I 
have  thought  to  wait  awhile,  and,  working  as 
easily  as  I  can,  see  how  my  strength  rises;  and,  if 
I  gradually  improve,  to  complete  my  ten  year's 
career  here,  and  then  close  up  all  my  affairs  com- 
pletely, so  as  to  be  able  to  stay  thereafter  in 
America  or  return  to  Ceylon  as  expediency  shall 
dictate.  Should  I  ever  return  to  Ceylon  I  should 
probably  need  two  years  in  America  to  prepare 
me  for  another  ten  years  in  this  climate.  ...  I 
have  my  suspicions  that  my  conscience  will  never 


Aetat.  32.]  Death  of  a  constable.  113 

leave  me  easy  in  such  a  decision,  for  if  there  was 
a  call  to  the  work  in  the  first  place,  there  may  be 
quite  as  much  of  a  call  to  resume  the  work,  seeing 
I  am  in  some  respects  better  fitted  for  it,  having 
pretty  free  use  of  the  language,  a  knowledge  of 
the  customs  and  habits  of  the  people,  of  their 
constitution  and  diseases;  and  of  their  medical 
system,  I  am  just  beginning  to  get  a  hold  so  as  to 
grapple  with  it,  and  do  my  best  to  improve  in  it 
what  is  good,  and  to  combat  what  is  decidedly 
bad 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

The  old  constable  of  Manepy  having  died.  Dr. 
Green  in  great  sadness  made  the  following  com- 
ment: "  He  was  years  ago,  I  believe,  a  subject  of 
the  strivings  of  the  Spirit,  but  has  gone  trusting 
in  ashes  and  the  grip  of  a  cow's  tail.  Of  course, 
such  a  trust  seems  ridiculous;  but  is  it  not  as  good 
and  sure  as  the  trust  in  one's  own  morality.?" 

A  brief  extract  from  a  letter  to  a  Corporate 
Member  of  the  American  Board  shows  how  he 
regarded  the  changes  effected  by  the  Deputation: 

"Our  mode  of  operation  is  very  much  changed, 
but  as  I  try  it  in  the  lock  of  the  gospel  now  the 
key  seems  to  fit  precisely,  and  to  turn  the  work 
smoothly  as  possible.  We  now  have  the  sling 
and  smooth  pebbles,  and  when  the  time  comes 


1 14  Plan  in  operation.  [A.  D.  1855. 

the  Spirit  will  direct  the  missile,  sinking  it  deep 
in  the  forehead  of  the  enemy.  However,  I  fear 
there  is  a  long  pull  before  us  yet  ere  the  Hindus 
convert,  and  sometimes  fear  that  the  way  of  the 
Lord  in  these  parts  is  to  be  prepared  by  their 
destruction." 

The  Doctor's  plan  to  make  his  department 
productive  of  funds  was  gradually  put  in  operation. 
He  first  tried  the  experiment  of  making  charges 
for  medicines,  and  was  glad  to  find  it  successful 
without  much  diminution  of  the  number  of  ap- 
plicants. Then  Mclntyre  and  Reid  began  their 
co-partnership  in  the  Dispensary,  selling  their 
medicines  and  making  charges  for  professional 
services.  They  were  members  of  his  Senior  Class, 
and  conducted  the  business  under  his  directions. 
Implements  and  utensils  were  supplied  to  them 
on  loan,  and  the  advance  on  American  costs  for 
medicines  was  charged  to  them  to  cover  expenses 
and  risks. 

As  yet  the  students  had  but  one  text-book  in 
the  vernacular — the  work  on  Anatomy,  Physi- 
ology and  Hygiene.  Besides  receiving  their  oral 
instruction  in  Tamil,  they  used  their  own  lan- 
guage in  taking  notes  of  their  reading  in  English. 
A  Dictionary  of  Tamil  Medical  Scie7tce,  and  a 
work  on  Medical  Synonyms,  English  and  Tamil, 
were  in   process    of   preparation.     The    required 


Aetat.  32.1  Preparation  of  text  books.      ■  115 

exclusion  of  English,  so  far  as  possible,  in  teach- 
ing, made  it  necessary  to  push  forward  the  work 
of  preparing  a  full  series  of  text-books  in  the 
vernacular.  Accordingly  Dr.  Green  wrote  the 
Secretary  of  the  Board  that  "for  the  execution  of 
this  work  it  is  desirable  that  the  Prudential  Com- 
mittee allow  the  expense  of  a  munshi,  and  make 
a  specific  grant  for  that  purpose." 


CHAPTER    VIII 


^855-1857-    ^T.   33-35. 


TJEFORE  the  middle  of  December  the  trans- 
lation of  the  Dublin  Practice  of  Midwifery 
was  finished,  having  occupied  four  months,  as  Dr. 
Green  had  calculated  when  he  began  the  work  in 
August;  and  the  first  review  and  revision  of  it, 
together  with  the  preparation  of  a  glossary,  were 
begun.  This  was  at  once  a  great  help  in  teach- 
ing, and  the  use  of  it  in  this  way  was  a  help  also 
in  testing  and  revising  it.  His  published  book  as 
will  be  seen  from  the  following  letters  became 
the  occasion  of  extending  his  usefulness  in  a  way 
entirely  unexpected. 

I  . 
From   Mr.  Murdoch.* 

Madras,  Dec.  19,  1855. 

My  Dear  Sir: 

,    In  Ceylon    I  was  informed  that  you  had 
prepared  a  work  on  Anatomy    and    Physiology. 

*See  Chapter  XIV. 


Aetat.  33.]  N^eed  of  sanitary  hints.  117 


It  occurred  to  me  that  perhaps  you  would  kindly- 
aid  the  School  Book  Society,  with  which  I  am 
connected,  in  the  preparation  of  a  few  lessons  on 
Physiology  and  Health.  We  are  publishing  a 
series  of  books  for  elementary  schools,  and  deem 
it  very  important  that  some  information  should 
be  given  on  such  subjects.  Of  course  the  des- 
criptions of  the  organs  would  do  for  any  country, 
but  the  sanitary  hints  must  be  adapted  to  the 
habits  of  the  people.  The  coolies  in  the  Central 
Province,  I  know,  from  laziness  eat  raw  rice;  the 
practice  is  also  very  general  to  eat  cold  rice  in  the 
morning,  in  which  the  process  of  fermentation 
has  commenced.'*  Then  about  bathing,  and  many 
other  points,  they  require  advice.  .  .  . 

It  is  proposed  to  print  the  regular  series  first 
in  English,  and  afterwards  in  as  many  of  the  ver- 
nacular lano-uao^es  of  India  as  we  can  manao-e. 

There  should  be  illustrative  cuts.  .  .  .1  should 
feel  much  obliged  by  your  informing  me  that  you 

*"In  Ceylon,"  Dr.  Green  said,  "The  natives  generally  pre- 
fer cold  food.  The  women  cook  about  5  p.  m.,  when  the 
family  drink  the  rice  water  that  is  poured  off.  The  rice  and 
the  curries  are  set  oy  till  8  p.  m.  to  be  eaten  cold  as  the 
principal  meal  of  the  day.  The  overplus  of  this  cold  rice  is 
mixed,  in  plenty  of  cold  water,  with  onions,  etc.,  and  set  by 
till  morning.  At  6  a.  m.  this  'old  rice'  is  eaten  cold  (and 
usually  sour  like  swill).  About  noon  the  poor  take  a  soup- 
like gruel  of  palmyra  root  flour  mixed  in  with  a  great  variety 
of  vegetables.  The  rich  boil  their  noon  rice  about  10  a.  m., 
drink  the  rice  water,  and  take  the  rice  cold  at  noon  with  cold 
curries.  Those  who  can  afford  it  eat  fruit  freely,  sometimes 
a  dozen  mangoes  at  once.  These  are  delicious  and  in  great 
variety." 


]i8  Preparation  of  books  f 07-  schools.         [A.  D.  1856. 


will  kindly  undertake  the  task. — Believe  me, 
Yours  most  sincerely, 

John   Murdoch. 

Cor.  Sec'y. 

Dr.  S.  F.  Green. 

II. 

From  Mr.  Murdoch. 

Madras,  y<3;7?  8,  1856. 

The  receipt  of  your  kind  favor  of  the  28th 
ult.  afforded  me  much  pleasure.  >  You  have  under- 
taken a  very  important  department  in  our  pro- 
posed series  of  School  Books,  and  I  hope  the  good 
which  will  result  may  repay  you  in  some  small 
degree  for  the  labor  it  will  cost  you. 

I  beg  you  will  have  the  goodness  to  let  me 
have  the  lessons  first  in  English,  We  propose 
to  print  about  two  hundred  copies  of  the  series 
of  Books  in  that  language  to  be  circulated  in 
India  and  Ceylon  among  friends  for  criticism. 
The  Third  and  Fourth  Books  will  probably  be 
printed  in  Tamil  before  the  publication  of  the 
large  English  edition.  We  have  on  hand  suffi- 
cient funds  to  print  five  thousand  copies  of  each. 
If  you  can  kindly  let  me  have  the  lessons  for  the 
Third  Book  in  April,  and  then  the  Fourth  and 
Fifth  Books  a  month  or  two  afterwards  it  will  do. 
Please  to  send  the  manuscript  to  Kandy. 

I  am  happy  to  learn  that  you  expect  to  get  out 


A.etat.  33.]  Perquisites.  119 

a  large  edition  of  your  work  on  Physiology.  The 
wood-cuts  are  lying  in  Mr.  Hunts'  office.  The 
treatise  on  Midwifery  is  calculated  to  be  very 
useful  Dr.  Elliott,  of  Colombo,  published  a  tract 
on  the  subject;  which  gave  me  some  idea  of  the 
barbarous  customs  of  the  people.  They  appear 
to  be  very  general.  I  was  reading  lately  a  tract 
written  by  Mrs.  Mullens  in  Bengal,  in  which  she 
refers  to  them  there;  and  in  Burmah,  I  believe,  it 
is  still  worse.  .  .  . — Your  obliged  friend, 

John  Murdoch. 

From  the  beginning  Dr.  Green  had  been  oc- 
casionally called  to  attend  professionally  in  the 
families  of  European  residents,  who  made  him 
valuable  presents  in  money  and  other  things, 
amounting  in  the  course  of  a  year,  sometimes,  to 
more  than  one  hundred  or  even  two  hundred 
dollars,  which  according  to  the  rule  he  turned 
over  to  the  Mission;  but  since  the  change  made 
by  the  Deputation,  whereby  he  was  to  carry  on 
his  literary  enterprise  with  funds  not  derived  from 
the  Board,  of  course  he  ceased  to  be  held  to  that 
rule,  and  used  all  his  professional  perquisites  in  his 
own  work.  As  an  instance  of  their  readiness  to 
reward  him,  three  Planters,  whom  he  examined 
for  Life  Assurance,  each  gave  him  a  guinea. 

On  the  retirement  of  the  missionary  from  Pan- 
diteripo  in  the  summer,  that  station  was  put  un- 


Progress  of  literary  work.  [A.  D.  1856. 


der  Doctor  Green's  care,  and  he  visited  it  weekly, 
thoueh  in  his  state  of  health  he  felt  the  burden. 
There  seemed  to  be  no  other  way  to  supply  the 
vacancy.  In  September  he  noticed  a  symptom 
of  pectoral  weakness,  if  not  of  disease. 

It  was  now  more  than  a  year  since  the  Dispen- 
sary was  re-organized  on  the  plan  of  self-support; 
and  during  the  last  "six  months,  ten  hundred  and 
thirty-two  patients  had  been  registered — about  as 
many  as  the  average  when  all  was  gratis!" 

During  this  year  his  literary  work  was  vigor- 
ously prosecuted.  With  the  aid  of  his  munshi, 
and  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Webb,  of  the  Madura  Mis- 
sion, wdio  spent  a  few  weeks  in  Ceylon  for  rest  and 
recuperation,  he  com.pleted  vocabularies  for  Chem- 
istry and  Natural  Philosophy,  besides  doing- 
much  in  the  development  of  a  rule  by  which  to 
determine  the  terms  required  in  bringing  the 
Western  sciences  into  Tamil.  The  work  ah*eady 
published  was  carefully  revised  and  improved,  and 
an  application  was  made  to  the  government  for 
aid  in  publishing  the  improved  edition,  which, 
through  the  kindness  of  Dr.  Cutter,  and  the  co- 
operation of  the  Treasurer  of  the  Board,  was  to 
be  illustrated  by  many  cuts.  The  work  on  Ob- 
stetrics also  had  been  twice  revised  and  compared 
with  the  English,  and  at  the  close  of  the  year  was 
in  process  of  a    third    revision    and    comparison. 


Aetat.  34.]  Caste.  121 

Through  the  kindness  of  Dr.  Stephen  Tracy  this 
work  also  was  to  be  well  illustrated.  Much  as  he 
desired  to  hasten  the  preparation  of  the  next  text- 
book contemplated  in  the  series,  it  is  evident  that 
he  wished  to  have  every  one  as  correct  as  possible 
at  the  time  of  publication. 

Caste  is  one  of  the  great  evils  in  the  way  of 
progress  in  India.  It  is  a  system  of  classification 
according  to  profession  or  occupation,  and  is  hered- 
itary, so  that  every  Hindoo  is  born  into  the  rank 
of  his  parents.  The  chief  divisions  are  the  Brah- 
min or  Priestly,  the  Military,  the  Commercial,  and 
the  Agricultural;  but  these  admit  of  subdivisions, 
so  that  there  are  many  distinctions.  The  bane 
of  it  is  that  a  higher  caste  cannot  associate,  in 
certain  ways,  with  a  lower  without  being  polluted 
and  scandalizing  his  own  class.  Dr.  Green  ad- 
vised an  assistant  to  seek  a  certain  girl  in  marriage, 
who  was  in  the  Oodooville  School,  and  whose 
parents  were  Christians;  the  young  man  objected 
only  to  her  caste, — as  her  mother  belonged  to  the 
Oil-seller  caste, — but  said  he  would  not  mind  that, 
if  it  would  not  affect  the  disposal  of  his  sisters  in 
marriage.  In  pleasing  himself  he  must  not  com- 
promise his  sisters,  who,  it  seems,  would  be  sub- 
ject to  reproach  on  his  account.  ^ 

"Caste,"  wrote  Dr.  Green,  "is  worth  more  than 
education  or  property  to  a  Hindu,  and  a  man  in 
14 


122  Its  hold  on  the  people.  [A.  D.  1856. 

caste  would  esteem  its  loss  next  to  the  loss  of 
life.  It  is  essentially  a  part  of  heathenism;  it  is, 
in  its  bearings,  directly  opposed  to  the  spirit  of 
the  gospel.  It  will  be  considered  to  exist  in  its 
integrity  in  every  individual  once  connected  with 
it,  who  does  not,  by  some  act  repugnant  to  the 
laws  of  caste,  cut  himself  off  from  it.  Professing 
Christians  born  caste  men,  if  they  would  show 
-themselves  real,  thorough  Christians,  should  vol- 
untarily and  repeatedly  preform  that  act,  or  those 
acts,  which  will  satisfy  the  heathen  that  they  de- 
cidedly reject  caste  as  being  incompatible  with  the 
teachings  of  the  Bible.  The  holding  of  caste  by 
church  members  is  one  of  the  greatest,  if  not 
absolutely  the  greatest,  external  obstacle  to  the 
progress  of  Christianity  in  India. 

"We  had  two  well-educated  native  preachers, 
Niles,  who  is  still  with  us,  and  Martyn;  the  for- 
mer of  the  Farmer  caste,  the  latter  of  the  Fisher 
caste.  Niles  was  married,  and  Martyn  went  to 
his  wedding,  and  ate;  afterwards  Martyn  was 
married;  Niles  attended  his  wedding  in  the  church, 
but  would  not  go  to  his  house  and  eat  with  him 
and  his  friends,  because,  though  himself  friendly 
with  Martyn  and  long  his  fellow-laborer,  he  could 
not  be  induced  to  implicate  his  own  class  in  asso- 
ciating with  those  of  lower  caste.  There  is  no 
doubt  as  to    Niles'  Christian  duty  to  a  brother; 


Aetat.  34.]  .     Renujiciation  of  caste. 


but  that  brother  might  turn  upon  him  and  say: 
'  Now  you  have  eaten  with  me  and  mine  and  we 
are  equal;  you  think  yourself  a  great  fellow,  but 
there  is  no  difference  between  us. '  All  his  friends 
would,  likely,  throw  the  same  in  his  teeth. 

"Caste  seems  to  stand  like  a  great  mountain 
in  the  path  of  progress;  human  strength  can 
never  remove  it;  perhaps  by  a  long  series  of 
measures,  well  devised  and  steadily  pursued  and 
blessed  of  God,  we  may  tunnel  it;  but,  oh,  that 
the  Lord  would  come  down,  that  it  might  flow 
down  at  His  presence  and  become  a  plain." 
,  While  the  Deputation  were  there,  and  they 
were  about  to  ordain  and  install  the  first  native 
pastor  over  a  church,  the  Mission  voted  to  adopt 
into  the  church  covenant  an  article  renouncing 
caste,  "  The  natives  consulted,  and  signed  the 
'declaration  of  independence' — renouncing  caste 
in  toto,  and  consenting  to  eat  food  no  matter  by 
whom  prepared  or  offered."  Within  a  month 
there  were  ninty-eight  signatures  to  the  anti-caste 
pledge.  . 

Notwithstanding  the  change  made  the  year 
before,  this  year  the  Medical  Class  numbered 
eight,  of  whom  six  recieved  "a  monthly  stipend 
from  the  Government,  and  one  from  the  Chundi- 
culy  church."  Lest  they  should  too  much  regard 
themselves  as  pensioners,  and  also  to  give  them 


124  Influence  C7jer  his  students.  [A.  D.  1856. 

variety  of  useful  employment,  the  Doctor  set 
them  to  work  for  the  Mission.  "  Four  spend  three 
hours  daily  in  the  afternoon  in  the  villages,  map- 
ping the  lanes,  tanks,  temples  and  houses;  reading 
to  and  talking  with  some  of  the  inhabitants. 
These  maps  of  the  several  villages,  together  with 
a  general  one  of  the  whole  parish,  may  aid  in  the 
more  systematic  visiting  of  the  villages,  and  be  a 
key  to  the  doings  and  reports  of  the  catechists. 
One  of  the  seven  acts  as  an  accountant,  one 
as  a  secular  agent,  and  one  as  a  writer."  His  in- 
fluence over  his  students  was  such  that  whatever 
he  wished  them  to  do  appeared  to  them  to  be  not 
only  wise  but  for  their  own  improvement.  He 
won  their  confidence  so  completely  that  they  con- 
tinued afterwards  to  consult  him  as  a  friend  who 
could  be  trusted  implicitly. 

Progress  in  material  things  appears  to  be  an 
inevitable  result,  everywhere,  of  preaching  the 
gospel  to  the  heathen.  Early  in  his  tenth  year 
of  service  Dr.  Green  noted  the  fact  that  a  man 
came  to  buy  tin,  of  which  to  make , labels  for  five 
hundred  bandies;  whereas  forty  years  before,  there 
was  but  one  such  carriage  in  the  Province,  or 
perhaps  on  the  Island. 

Two  members  of  his  Medical  Class  were  now  man- 
ifesting "interest  about  their  own  salvation — the 
only  two  yet  unconnected  with  the  visible  church." 


Aetat.  34.]  Perseciiiion.  125 

Of  three  persons  to  be  received  into  fellowship 
with  the  church  one  was  forcibly  detained  by  his 
relatives.  The  Doctor  went  to  see  him,  to  learn 
his  wishes,  and  give  him  such  comfort  as  he  could; 
but  he  found  a  great  and  excited  crowd,  and  the 
young  man's  older  brother  sprang  upon  him  and 
tookhis  hat,  when  others  surrounded  andresLrained 
the  fellow.  Their  awe  of  him,  their  confidence 
in  him,  and  the  remembrance  of  what  he  had 
done  professionally  for  them  or  their  friends, 
doubtless  combined  to  check  their  violence.  In 
answer  to  his  questions,  though  thus  surrounded 
and  beset,  the  young  convert  from  heathenism 
"witnessed  a  good  confession  before  them  all," 
and  within  a  few  weeks  was  received  into  the 
church,  seeming  "determined  to  risk  anything 
and  everything  for  Christ."  Then  those  hostile 
to  his  reformation  "  talked  of  preforming  obse- 
quies" for  him  and  another  young  man  who  had 
thus  become  dead  to  them.  Yet  when,  not  long 
afterwards,  the  Doctor  "went  out  to  talk  with 
people  at  their  Jiouses  they  were  almost  invariably 
civil,"  and  heard  him  quietly  and  respectfully. 

In  December  Dr.  Green  received  an  answer 
from  the  Government,  declining  the  request  he 
had  made  in  September  for  aid  in  publishing  an 
improved  edition  of  his  Anatomy,  Physiology  and 
Hygiene,  because  "the  non-English  policy  pursued 


126  Piihlication  of  hooks.  [A.  D.  1857. 


by  the  Mission  was,  in  the  Governor's  view,  dis- 
astrous and  suicidal."  The  trouble  with  the 
policy  was  that  it  would  diminish  the  supply  of 
native  doctors  for  positions  the  Government  had 
to  fill,  by  fitting  them  to  practice  in  their  own 
villages  where  only  the  vernacular  was  used.  He 
was  not  much  disappointed,  however,  for  the  poilcy 
and  its  effect  were  just  what  he  desired;  and, 
having  foreseen  the  negative  answer  in  the  long 
delay,  he  had  made  arrangements  to  have  the  book 
brought  out  at  Madras  by  Mr  Hunt,  the  "prince 
cf  Tamil  printers," — the  Southern  India  Christian 
School  Book  Society  taking  three  thousand  copies, 
and  the  American  Ceylon  Mission  taking  one 
thousand  copies,  thus  making  it  inexpensive  by 
the  largeness  of  the  edition.  In  January,  1857,  the 
Corresponding  Secretary  at  Madras  announced 
to  the  public  that  the  book  would  be  issued  by  the 
month  of  August. 

Meantime  the  work  on  Obstetrics  was  put  to 
press  in  Manepy.  As  an  indication  of  the  value  of 
his  rule  for  putting  the  terms  of  Western  Science 
into  Tamil,  it  may  be  mentioned  that  the  Doctor 
learned  from  Mr.  Webb  that  "the  Native  Society 
in  Madras  had  adopted  to  a  good  extent  that 
relating  to  Philosophical  terms,  and  printed  it  in 
their  Annual  'Kepori  without  ackitowledgmenir  Mr. 
Murdock  wrote,  "I  should  like  to  consult  you  on 


Aetat.  34.]  Preparation  to  leave.  127 


some  points  before  printing  the  Reading  Book  for 
Female  Schools,  as  well  as  about  the  rendering  of 
scientific  terms.  I  am  glad  that  you  have  devoted 
so  much  time  to  this  subject.  Its  importance  will 
be  more  and  more  felt  every  year." 

It  was  Doctor  Green's  desire  and  aim  to  be 
faithful  spiritually  to  all  with  whom  he  came  in 
contact,  whether  high  or  Xow  in  the  social  scale, 
so  far  as  a  wise  regard  to  circumstances  would 
allow,  though  he  sometimes  felt  a  shrinking  that 
had  to  be  overcomxC  with  prayer  and  self-denial. 
Thus  in  visiting  professionally  "those  of  high 
position"  he  said  he  "had  to  pray  for  grace  to  be 
faithful  to  their  souls,  and  the  o-race,  accordino^  to 
the  promise,  has  been  given  I  think." 

While  his  books  were  in  the  hands  of  the  prin- 
ters, he  found  the  reading  and  correcting  the 
proof-sheets  hard  work.  In  July  the  volume  on 
Obstetrics  was  issued,  and  specimen  copies  sent 
to  various  persons  with  a  view  to  getting  it  into 
the  hands  of  the  native  doctors  at  the  earliest 
moment  possible,  his  concern  being,  not  for  pecun- 
iary profits,  but  for  the  immediate  usefulness  of 
the  book. 

On  the  completion  of  these  books  he  began  to 
turn  his  attention  to  the  proper  closing  up  of  his 
affairs  in  preparation  for  his  return  to  the  United 
States.     The  regret  felt  at  his  necessary  depart- 


128  Regret  felt  at  his  departure.  [A.  D.  1857. 

ure  for  a  season  extended  beyond  his  own  Mission, 
and  also  beyond  the  native  population  upon  whom 
he  had  obtained  a  strong  hold.  Something  of 
the  estimation  in  which  he  was  held  by  Eu- 
ropean residents  may  be  seen  from  the  following 
letters — one  from  a  civil  magistrate  and  the  other 
from  a  clergyman  of  the  Church  of  England — 
which  certainly  need  not  have  been  written  but  for 
the  promptings  of  sincere  friendship  and  esteem. 

I. 

From    Judge    Murray,    a    Scotch    Gentleman, 
District    Judge    of    Jaffna. 

Jaffna,  SepL   i8,   1857. 

My  Dear  Dr.  Green: 

We  shall  lose,  and  all  will  miss,  an  excel- 
lent member  of  society  on  your  departure  from 
our  shores.  May  an  All-wise  Providence  conduct 
you  safely  to  Fatherland;  and,  on  the  establishment 
there  of  lost  health,  restore  you  again  to  this  dark 
and  needy  portion  of  the  Vineyard  where  active, 
practical  benevolence,  such  as  yours,  is  so  urgently 
needed. 

We  hope  to  see  you  before  leaving.  Meanwhile 
I  may  mention  Mrs.  ?viurrays  wish  that  you  should 
kindly  accept  some  parting  token  of  our  regard. 
She  writes  to  Mrs  Hobarts,  Madras  (through 
which   I  believe  you  pass),  to   procure  a  Scotch 


Aetat.  35.]  Letter  from  Rev.  Mr.   Pagiter.  129 

plaid  or  some  such  article,  procurable  there  but 
not  here,  which  may  minister  to  your  personal 
comfort  when  you  get  into  colder  latitudes. — 
Believe  me,  with  best  wishes  in  which  Mrs.  Mur- 
ray cordially  joins, 

Yours  very  sincerely, 

A.  Murray. 

I  I. 

From  the  Rev.  Mr.  Pagiter. 
A    Clergyman  of  the  Church  of  England  in 

Jaffna. 

Jaffna,  Sept.  29,  1857. 

Dear  Bro.  Green: 

I  regret  three  things:  First,  that  you  go 
one  way  and  we  another;  Second,  that  I  am  un- 
able to  see  you  ere  you  go;  Third,  that  I  have  not 
had  more  of  your  company. 

I  thank  you  for  three  things:  First,  your  kind- 
ness to  me;  Second,  your  kindness  to  mine;  Third, 
your  good  example. 

I  pray  for  three  things:  First,  a  pleasant  and 
speedy  voyage  home;  Second,  a  speedy  restoration 
to  health;  Third,  a  return  to  your  field  of  labor. 

I  wish  you  three  things:  First,  a  good  wife ; 
Second,  a  happy  home;  Third,  a  prosperous  pro- 
fession (should  you  not  return). 

Above  all,  may  you  have:  First,  the  presence 
of   your  Saviour;    Second,  the    blessings    of    the 


130  Looking  back.  [A.  D.  1857„ 

upper   and    nether  spring;    Third,  the    riches  of 
eternity. 

If  no  more  on  earth  we  meet,  I  trust:  First,  to 
rise  with  you  in  the  first  resurrection;  Second,  to 
stand  with  you  at  the  right  hand  of  the  Saviour; 
Third,  to  be  with  you  in  the  company  of  the 
blessed  for  ever. 

What  more  can  I  say? 

Adieu,  and  believe  me 
Ever 

Your  affectionate  friend, 

Robert  Pagiter.   . 

Mr.  Percival  A.  Dyke,  the  able  Government 
Agent  of  the  Province,  took  the  opportunity  to 
give  him  "a  special  parting  call." 

Dr.  Green  had  desired  to  show  a  good  begin- 
ning towards  the  realization  of  his  scheme  for 
putting  the  science  of  medicine,  as  developed  in 
Europe  and  America,  into  the  language  of  the 
Tamils,  and  to  leave  behind  him  a  good  number 
of  practical  native  representatives  of  the  science. 
He  had  thought, ten  years  would  be  required  for 
this  result  of  his  missionary  service,  and  had  de- 
termined that  nothing  but  the  clearest  indications 
of  duty  should  turn  him  from  his  purpose.  The 
ten  years  were  now  drawing  to  a  ciose,  and  what 
had  he  accomplished?  He  had  acquired  a 
good  knowledge  of  a  difficult  language,  and  such 
facility  in  the  use  of  it  that  he  could  not    only 


Aetat.  35.)  Results  of  ten  years.  131 

freely  address  the  people  extemporaneously,  but 
also  preach  in  it  directly  from  his  English  manu- 
script. He  had  published  several  important  tracts, 
and  laid  the  foundation  of  a  Tamil  medical  litera- 
ture in  the  creation  of  a  scientific  vocabulary  for 
several  branches  of  the  general  science.  He  had 
published  a  large  second  edition  of  Cutter's  Ana- 
tofny,  Phisiology  and  Hygiene, — to  be  used  in 
schools  as  well  as  by  medical  students  and  the 
native  doctors, — and  a  smaller  edition  of  Maun- 
sell's  Dublin  Practice  of  Midwifery,  ho\h  modified 
by  such  improvements  as  had  come  to  his  know- 
edge  and  experience  since  the  publication  of  the 
vi^orks  in  English  by  their  respective  authors. 
He  had  treated,  and  directed  the  treatment  of, 
probably  more  than  twenty  thousand  patients,  to 
whom  and  perhaps  as  many  or  more  attendants 
he  had  also  made  known  the  way  of  salvation. 
He  had  instructed  twenty  young  men  in  medicine 
and  surgery  till  they  were  qualified  for  intelligent 
practice,  and  some  of  them  even  for  instructing 
other  young  men  to  a  considerable  extent  in  his 
absence.  He  had  been  instrumental  in  relieving 
many  of  their  sufferings,  and  in  -saving  the  lives 
of  many;  and  it  cannot  be  doubted  that  some,  if 
not  many  of  them  will  be  found  to  ascribe  to  him, 
as  the  instrument,  their  fellow-citizenship  with  the 
saints. 


132  Faced  homezvard.  [A.  D.  1857. 


Having  thus  completed  bis  ten  years  of  service, 
he  had  also  come  to  such  a  condition  of  health 
as  made  a  season  of  rest  and  a  change  of  climate 
necessary  to  any  further  prosecution  of  his  chosen 
work;  and  therefore  he  gladly  set  his  face  towards 
that  circle  whose  centre  was  at  Green  Hill  and 
which  had  remained  unbroken  since  be  left  it. 
Much  as  be  loved,  and  was  loved  by,  every  mem- 
ber of  that  circle,  however,  he  would  doubtless 
have  preferred  to  continue  longer  in  his  work  if 
he  had  been  in  full  vigor;  the  great  object  of  his 
return  to  his  early  home  was  that  re-invigoration 
which  would  restore  him  again  as  soon  as  possi- 
ble to  the  Tamils. 


CHAPTER    IX 


1857-1859:    ^T.   35-37. 


T  HAVING  Ceylon  on  the  5th  of  October, — 
ten  years  to  a  day  after  he  first  set  foot  on 
the  Island, — Dr  Green  arrived  at  Madras  on  the 
23d,  where,  while  waiting  for  a  vessel,  he  not  only 
met  many  social  demands,  and  requests  to  address 
Sunday  Schools,  patients  in  Hospitals,  and  assem- 
blies in  bungalows,  but  also  revised  some  of  his 
translations,  translated  his  little  popular  work 
which  he  called  The  House  I  Live  In,  and  com- 
posed in  English  another  entitled  The  Mother  and 
Child.  The  latter  he  was  obliged  to  leave  to  be 
translated,  and  prepared  for  the  press,  by  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Webb  of  Dindigul. 

Meantime  he  met  his  old  friend  Mr.  Dixon, 
with  whom.  Dr.  Paterson,  and  another  young 
man, — more  especially  than  with  any  others, — he 
enjoyed  "a  most  soul-melting  Christian  interview.  ' 
In  a  similar  spiritual  elevation  he  wrote  to  his 
sister  in  view  of  the  perils  of  travel. 

15 


134  In  Madras  at  the  time  of  the  Mutiny.    [A.  D.  1857. 

SiNTADKEPETTA,   MaDRAS,  NoV.  20,    1 85  7. 

My  Dear  Sister  Mary: 

Yours  doubly  welcome  as  unexpected, 
came  to  hand  on  the  17  inst.,  date  of  it  14  Sep- 
tember. By  it  I  was  glad  to  learn  of  dear  Julia 
and  Andrew's  safe  termination  of  their  western 
tour.  Through  many  dangers,  God's  arm  unseen 
cleared  their  way.  No  wonder  Julia  was  timid, 
sucii  fearful  railway  wrecks  do  you  have  in  crazy 
headlong  America;  their  report  even  away  out 
here  is  terrific. 

I  wish  we  could  all  attain  a  feeling  of  perfect 
safety;  it  is  always  safe  to  trust  in  God;  we  can 
always  trust  he  will  care  for  us  if  we  are  in  the 
path  of  duty;  in  short  duty  is  safe,  wholly  so, 
always  so.  1  hope  Papa  will  not  feel  overanxious 
about  his  stray  son.  I  feel  no  apprehension  my- 
self of  personal  danger  by  the  Rebellion,  and  even 
though  one  fall  it  is  just  as  near  to  heaven  hence 

as 'from    Green   Hill Dear  Sister,  in  our 

prayers  for  those  near  and  dear  to  us,  are  we  more 
concerned  that  they  daily  and  continually  dishonor 
'God,  that  they  arc  rebels  against  His  rule,  or  do 
we  care  more  about  their  exposedness  to  eternal 
misery  and  death  which  may  at  any  moment  over- 
take them.f*  We  must  look  sharp  to  our  motives 
in  our  prayers,  or  we  may  but  pray  into  the  air. 

As  to  India,  things  yet  look  lowery;  how  long 
the  storm  may  pelt  both  rulers  and  ruled  none 
can  certify;  but  I  feel  more  hopeful  concerning 
the  cause  here  than  ever;  by  this  shaking  of  the 


Aetat.  35.]  Voyage  to  London.  135 

tree  many  things  noxious  will  fall  off  and  it  will 
flourish  better  than  ever.  This  Rebellion  is  a 
grand  epoch,  I  verily  believe,  and  at  this  date,  I 
doubt  not,  Satan's  power  here  is  receiving  wounds 
that  never  shall  heal.  .  .  . 

If  the  Lord  please,  I  pray  he  may  spare  you 
each  and  all  till  I  can  once  more  see  you  face  to 
face;  but  for  this,  were  it  left  for  me  to  decide,  I 
should  be  cruel  to  keep  any  one,  prepared  for  the 
Better  Land,  out  of  that  blessed  place  and  com- 
pany for  an  hour.     His  will  be  done.     At  least, 

"There  we  shall  meet  at  Jesus'  feet, 

Shall  meet  to  part  no  more. " 

Truly, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

He  sailed  from  Madras  on  the  19th  of  Decem- 
ber in  the  Agra,  and  arrived  in  London  via  the 
Cape  of  Good  Hope  and  St.  Helena  on  the  ist  of 
April,  acting  by  official  appointment  as  surgeon 
and  physician  to  the  soldiers  on  board  and  to  the 
crew.  He  had  the  Port  Watch  for  instruction  in 
the  Scriptures,  three  pupils  in  Latin,  and  three 
children  in  Tamil.  On  his  own  account  he 
practised  drawing,  and  continued  his  work  of 
translation.  His  work  in  Jaffna,  and  his  visits  to 
Madras,  had  brought  him  to  the  notice  of  the 
.Medical  Missionary  Society  in  Edinburgh,  which 


136  Views  on  Medical  Missions.  [AD.  1857. 

had  a  Mission  in  Madras;  and  early  in  1853  he 
had  received  a  letter  from  the  Secretary,  inviting 
correspondence.  This  led  to  the  mutual  desire 
for  a  personal  acquaintance,  and,  as  his  friends  at 
home  had  offered  funds  for  touring,  he  planned  to 
visit  Edinburgh,  and  drew  up  an  outline  of  his 
views  on  Medical  Missions. 

On  this  subject  he  had  no  novel  theory,  but 
specified  the  duties  of  the  medical  missionary  as 
they  had  been  assigned  to  him  by  the  Board,  and 
extended  and  performed  by  himself,  adding  such 
others  as  experience  and  observation  suggested. 
On  putting  medical  science  into  the  vernacular  he 
said:  "Mere  translations  are  comparatively  use- 
less. It  is  better  to  devise  one's  own  plan,  and 
compile  freely  from  many  authors,  taking  their 
ideas  only;  but  sometimes,  as  a  labor-saving 
measure,  it  may  be  best  to  select  a  well-planned 
elementary  treatise  and  use  this  as  the  basis  of 
the  vernacular  i^sue, — which  may  prove  to  be  a 
compilation,  translation,  and  original  work  com- 
bined,— interleave  it,  add,  erase,  and  transpose 
matter,  remodel  sentences,  phrases  and  figures  so 
as  to  adapt  the  book  to  the  language  of  the 
people,  avoiding  a  literal  rendering  and  making 
it  free  and  simple.  Every  book  should  be  in 
simple,  clear  style,  and  freely  illustrated  by  cuts, — 
as  many  ideas  which,  among  Europeans  are  con-. 


Aetat.  35.]  Views  on  Medical  Missions.  137 

sidt-red  perfectly  simple,  are  strange  and  nearly 
incomprehensible  to  heathens."  He  believed  the 
medical  missionary  should  investigate  the  native 
systems  of  medicine,  know  the  native  doctors, 
fraternize  with  them  as  far  as  possible,  consult 
with  them  when  desired,  communicate  informa- 
tion freely,  assuming  no  appearance  of  superiority, 
and  drawing  out  their  views  and  experiences. 
Ha  should  also  give  popular  lectures,  and  publish 
brief  papers  for  gratuitous  distribution  en  various 
subjects;  as,  "for  example,  on  Institutions  for  the 
Insane,  Deaf  and  Dumb,  Blind,  Id'ots;  History 
of  Medicine  and  Surgery,  Medical  Etiquette, 
duties  of  every  physician  to  the  Profession  and  to 
the  community,  Evils  of  Secrecy;  the  Expose  of 
charms,  astrology,  and  divers  abuses;  and  the 
statement  of  the  fundamental  rational  principles 
of  medical  practice." 

He  considered  also  the  relations  of  the  medical 
missionary  to  the  Medical  Missionary  Society,  to 
the  Missionary  Board  with  which  the  latter  co- 
operates, and  to  the  Mission  in  which  he  labors; 
his  professional  furnishings;  the  extension  of 
Medical  Missions;  the  appointment  and  support 
of  Medical  Missionaries;  and  the  need  of  Medical 
Missions.  On  the  last  topic  he  said:  "Systems 
of  error  permeate  every  department  of  the  social 
fabric.     Heathenism  lurks  in  each  land  as  in  a 


138  Views  on  Medical  Missions.  [A.  D.  1857. 

many-celled  cavern.  While  conversions  to  Christ 
should  be  the  chief  aim,  systems  of  error,  should 
be  systematically  attacked  and  driven  from  their 
hiding  places  by  specific  endeavors.  Blended 
with  medical  theory  and  practice  we  find  idolatry, 
witchcraft,  astrology,  charms  and  incantations, 
philters,  devil  {quasi)  possession  and  ejection, 
and  divers  other  superstitions,  absurdities  and 
abuses; — all  this  aff.ording  room  and  crying  loud- 
ly for  the  medical  missionary's  best  efforts.  Add 
to  this,  ignorance  at  large  of  the  laws  of  health, 
the  prevalence  of  pernicious  notions  and  practices, 
and  there  is  a  claim  on  the  philanthropist'  of  the 
Profession  who  mio^ht  disregard  the  hiorher 
motive." 

Then  follows  an  appeal  to  the  Profession,  and 
a  suggestion  of  the  various  benefits  which  might 
result  to  the  Profession  in  the  contributions  of  the 
missionaries  to  various  sciences  and  in  the  en- 
largement of  the  sphere  of  knowledge  of  diseases, 
medicine  and  surgery. 

Obviously  Dr.  Green,  while  faithful  to  his  com- 
mission and  in  perfect  harmony  with  the  Mission, 
was  no  mere  employee  of  the  American  Board  of 
Missions.  He  examined  the  field  he  occupied, 
saw  what  was  needed,  extended  his  sphere  of 
labor,  devised  methods  and  means  of  increasing 
the  usefulness  of  his  department,  yet  all  in  sub- 


Aetat.  35.]  Letter  from  Dr.    Co/itstream. 


ordination  to,  and  promotive  of,  the  chief  aim  of 
evangelizing  and  saving  the  people — as  if  he  were 
the  primary  and  responsible  agent  in  it  all. 

Havino-  announced  his  arrival  in  Ensfland,  and 
his  purpose  to  visit  Scotland,  he  received  this 
reply  from  the  Secretary  of  the  Medical  Mission- 
ary Society. 

From  Dr.  Coldstream. 

Edinburgh,  April  2<^,  1858. 

My  Dear  Sir: 

The  receipt  of  your  kind  note,  enclosing 
Mr.  Paterson's  introduction,  gave  me  great  pleas- 
ure. Mr.  Paterson  had  apprised  me  of  your  in- 
tention to  visit  Britain,  as  well  as  of  your  very 
friendly  and  much  valued  attentions  to  him.  As 
I  see  the  American  Missionary  Herald  regularly, 
I  have  long  been  familiar  with  your  name  and 
your  labor  of  love  in  the  'spicy  isle.'  I  therefore 
anticipate  with  no  small  interest  the  visit  which 
you  hope  to  pay  to  this  city.  From  what  you 
indicate  of  your  intended  movements,  I  presume 
you  are  not  likely  to  arrive  in  Edinburgh  sooner 
than  the  end  of  June  or  in  the  course  of  July. 
That  would  be  a  very  good  season  for  your  being 
here.  And  I  may  mention  that  towards  the  end 
of  July  the  Annual  Meeting  of  the  British  Medi- 
cal Association  is  to  be  held  here.  On  that 
occasion,  it  is  likely  that  a  number  of  the  leading 


140  1  our  in  Europe.  [A.  D.  1858. 

physicians  and  surgeons  from  all  parts  of  Britain 
will  be  congregated.  And  it  is  intended  to  hold 
a  special  public  meeting  of  cur  Society  at  the 
time,  which  would  supply  you  with  a  most  precious 
opportunity  of  doing;  good  to  our  professional 
brethren. 

But  at  any  time  that  you  may  be  able  to  visit 
us,  we  will  be  happy  to  arrange  for  a  meeting  of 
the  Society.  ... 

I  note  the  addresses  of  some  of  the  leading 
friends  of  Medical  Missions  in  London.  .  .  . 

In  hope  of  soon  seeing  you,  I  am. 

My  Dear  Sir,  sincerely  yours, 

John  Coldstream. 
Dr.  Green. 

In  London  Dr.  Green  attended  the  anniversa- 
ries of  various  benevolent  societies,  especially 
those  which  had  missions  in  Ceylon;  visited  hos- 
pitals, and  made  acquaintance  with  distinguished 
physicians.  In  Oxford  he  was  the  guest  of  Dr. 
Cotton,  Provost  of  Worcester,  who  honored  him 
with  special  attentions,  and  introduced  him  to 
others  who  extended  the  most  cordial  hospitalities. 
In  Paris  he  had  delightful  interviews  with  Dr. 
Kissen  and  Frederic  Monod.  In  London,  again, 
he  "had  a  word  of  the  Canaan  dialect"  with  an 
Agent  of  an  ocean  steam-ship  Company,  and  "a 


Aetat   35.]  Arrival  in  America.  141 

long  and  close  soul  talk  with  the  barber. "  Visit- 
ing Birmingham  and  Manchester  on  the  way,  he 
went  to  Edinburgh  and  had  the  opportunity  to 
compare  with  his  own  the  views  of  a  Society 
which  made  medical  missions  a  specialty,  the 
interview  resulting  in  the  confirmation  of  that 
mutual  interest  and  regard  which  brought  them 
together.  After  brief  visits  to  Glasgow  and 
Dublin  he  sailed  from  Liverpool  in  the  Kangaroo 
on  the  7th  of  July  and  arrived  in  New  York  on 
the  2ist.  Here  he  had  his  lungs  examined  by 
Dr.  Camman,  who  gave  his  opinion  that  there 
was  "  nothing  decidedly  wrong."  After  a  week 
of  delight  in  New  York  with  his  brother  and 
sisters,  several  missionaries  from  India,  many 
friends  of  his  youth,  and  some. of  his  medical  in- 
structors, he  proceeded  to  Green  Hill,  where  he 
found  his  "relatives  all  well,"  and  gave  "thanks 
to  Jesus  for  His  care  of  them  while  parted." 
His  father  had  reached  the  middle  of  his  eighty- 
second  year. 

He  spent  the  winter  of  1858-9  in  New  York, 
in  the  interest  of  his  department  of  missionary 
service;  selecting  the  best  editions  of  the  best 
works  for  translations,  obtaining  favors  from  pub- 
lishers in  the  way  of  cuts  for  illustrations,  confer- 
ring with  theological  students,  securing  a  lecture 
to  medical  students,  improving  himself  profession- 


142  Letter  from  Rev.  A.  Pater  son.  [A.  D.  1859. 

ally  by  visiting  hospitals,  attending  lectures  on 
subjects  of  the  most  importance  to  him,  and  wit- 
nessing the  rarest  and  most  delicate  surgical 
operations.  There  was  another  important  matter 
of  which  he  was  thus  reminded  in  a  letter  from 
Mr.  Hastings:  "I  hope  I  shall  be  here  in  i860 
to  greet  you  and  Mrs.  Green,  as  I  greeted  you 
without  Mrs.  Geeen  in  1847."  And  in  a  letter 
from  Mrs.  Hastings:  "Amidst  the  comforts  and 
niceties  of  your  home  can  you  cast  back  a  thought 
to  old  times?  Can  you  make  those  good  sisters 
of  yours  realize  how  you  used  to  live  so  lonely 
and  forlorn  ?  I  trust  your  home  will  never  be  so 
lonely  again.  I  am  often  asked  by  native  ladies, 
when  you  are  coming  back;  and  whenever  we 
tell  them  we  have  heard  from  you,  the  first  ques- 
tion is,  'Is  he  married  yet.?'  So  you  see  you 
must  not  fail  to  fulfil  the  expectation  of  the  large 
circle  of  natives  who  are  so  interested  in  your 
movements." 

He  received  a  letter  from  the  Rev.  Alexander 
Paterson,  a  City  Missionary  of  Edinburgh  and  a 
brother  of  Dr.  Paterson  of  Madras,  from  which  a 
brief  extract  may  be  quoted:  "I  can  assure  you, 
since  the  time  of  your  kind  visit  to  us  we  have 
frequently  spoken  of  you,  and  remembered  you 
at  our  family  altar.  David  has  repeatedly  men- 
tioned you  in  his  letters,  so  that,  had  we  been 


Aetat.  36.]  Circular  to  arouse  interest.  143 

disposed,  we  could  not  get  you  forgotten.  Your 
visit  was  to  us  a  time  of  refreshing  which  we  can- 
not foreet,  and  a  manifestation  of  Christian  kind- 
ness  towards  us,  of  which  we  regret  we  could  not 
adequately  show  our  appreciation.  .  .  .  David 
longs  for  i860  and  seems  to  anticipate  a  pleasant 
sojourn  with  you  in  Ceylon." 

From  Mr.  Sanders  he  received  a  request,  in  be- 
half of  Mr.  A.  M.  Ferguson,  of  Colombo,  to  pur- 
chase all  the  publications  on  Ceylon  by  American 
authors;  and  also  an  account  of  nineteen  of  his 
medical  graduates,  as  well  as  of  his  fellow  mis- 
sionaries. 

To  meet  expenses  of  books,  cuts,  and  apparatus, 
he  issued  a  circular,  endorsed  by  leading  physi- 
cians and  clergymen  of  New  York,  in  which  he 
gave  a  brief  account  of  what  had  been  done,  and 
what  more  it  was  proposed  to  do,  the  necessary 
means  and  the  cost  of  the  means  to  the  extent  of 
a  thousand  dollars,  and  appealed  to  the  philan- 
thropic a,nd  benevolent  for  aid  to  that  amount. 
In  it  he  said:  "It  is  the  definite  aim  of  this  en- 
terprise to  displace  a  false  by  a  sound  medical 
practice;  to  supersede  cruel  superstitions  by  kind- 
ly truth;  to  root  among  the  ten  millions  speaking 
the  Tamil  language  a  system  of  physic  and  surgery, 
correct  in  its  literature  and  practice,  that,  being 
self-sustained,  may  long  endure." 


1 44        Desire  to  organize  a  Med' I  Missionary  Sac.    [A.  D.  1859. 


Dr.  Green  desired  that  a  Medical  Missionary 
Society  should  be  organized  in  New  York,  first 
for  the  physical  and  spiritual  benefit  of  the  poor 
and  suffering  in  the  city,  and  secondly  for  the 
selection,  training,  commission  and  maintenance 
of  medical  missionaries  in  heathen  lands;  and 
that  this  should  be  an  example  for  other  cities  to 
follow.  Wh'at  he  had  seen  and  learned  of  such  a 
society  in  Edinburgh,  and  of  its  Mission  in 
Madras,  had  convinced  him  of  the  great  import- 
ance of  such  an  institution;  and  he  believed  that 
by  making  it  auxiliary  to  a  Missionary  Board  the 
medical  profession  might  become  more  interested 
in  the  welfare  of  the  heathen,  and  more  practic- 
ally appreciative  of  their  obligations  as  philan- 
thropists and  Christian  men.  Encouraged  by 
interviews  with  several  Christian  physicians,  he 
drew  up  an  outline  for  the  organization  of  such  a 
Society,  and,  as  the  summer  was  nigh,  returned 
to  Green  Hill. 

On  the  2 2d  of  May  he  "felt  more  like  health 
than  in  a  long  time  before;"  yet,  two  days  later. 
Dr.  Jeffries,  of  Boston,  thought  it  doubtful  if  he 
could  return  to  Ceylon.  In  regard  to  the  judg- 
ment of  his  medical  advisers  he  recorded  no 
opinion;  but  his  silence,  and  his  continuance  in 
his  plans  and  purpose  to  return,  seem  to  indicate 
,that  he  had  more  confidence  in  his  own   views 


Aetat.  37.]  Perils  of  journeying.  145 

than  in  theirs.  Certainly  there  was  no  hint  of 
any  feeling  of  discouragement. 

In  June  Dr.  Anderson  wrote:  "The  Pruden- 
tial Committee  instruct  me  to  say  that  they  wish 
you  to  retain  your  purpose  and  expectation  of 
returning  to  your  mission,  though  your  stay  in 
this  country  should  be  prolonged  for  two  or  three 
years;  and  to  occupy  your  leisure,  as  health  shall 
permit,  in  carrying  out  your  plans  for  creating 
the  needful  medical  works  in  the  Tamil  language. " 

While  Dr.  Green  was  visiting  his  brothers  at 
Chicago,  the  community  was  saddened  by  the 
loss  of  many  lives  in  a  railway  catastrophe; 
which  occasioned,  perhaps,  the  peculiar  hue  and 
tone  of  his  announcement,  to  his  friends  at  home, 
of  his  contemplated  return.  "Our  Father  pros- 
pering, we  hope  to  be  at  the  Hill  by  Saturday 
evening,  23d  July.  Amid  perils  of  journeying 
the  consciousness  of  friends  in  Faith  remember- 
ing us  will  cheer  our  way.  En  route,  'Love' 
may  switch  us  off  by  the  'Valley'  track  for  Zion's 
Hill,  but  this  is  even  more  pleasant  than  Green 
Hill,  and  so  we  all  will  say,  if  our  meeting  be  thus 
deferred,  'God's  will  be  done.'" 

Having  reached  home  in  safety,  he  sent  the 
following  proposal  to  a  professional  brother  in 
New  York  for  his  consideration  and  use: 

"Rejoicing  in  the  comparatively  large  number 
16 


146  Proposal  to  physicians.  [A.  D.  1859. 

of  the  Medical  Profession  in  this  city  who  are 
members  of  'the  household  of  faith,'  and  in  the 
sympathy  which  that  profession  generally  show 
in  the  promotion  of  Christian  philanthropies,  the 
undersigned  regard  it  as  a  question  deserving 
consideration,  whether  the  profession  be  acting 
up  fully  to  their  opportunities  in  relation  to  Christ- 
ian Missions';  whether  there  be  aught  farther 
that  can  be  done  by  them  to  advance  the  interests 
of  the  same;  whether  they  are  alive  to  secure  in- 
crease of  efftciency  in  their  department  of  missions, 
correspondent  to  the  widening  openings  for  the 
promulgations  of  truth;  and  whether  they  may 
not  improve  in  both  the  manner  and  the  measure 
of  their  aid  in  this  important  enterprise.     They 

cordially  invite  you  to  meet  with  them  at on 

day  of for  prayerful  deliberation  on  this 

subject,  with  the  hope  that  some  practical  and 
specific  plan  for  larger  usefulness  may  be  deter- 
mined upon,  and  some  organization  effected  for 
its  systematic  prosecution." 

It  was  very  welco'me  news  that  the  American 
Ceylon  Mission  had  voted  him  three  hundred 
dollars  towards  the  purchase  of  apparatus  needed 
in  his  department.  The  correspondence  which 
was  kept  up  between  him  and  his  Tamil  friends 
was  mutually  interesting  and  beneficial,  and 
must  have  cost  him  considerable  time;  by  their 


Aetat.  37]  Correspondence  with  Tamils.  147 

letters  he  learned  more  particularly  of  their  con- 
dition than  by  those  from  the  missionaries.  He 
had  won  their  confidence  so  completely  that  they 
wrote  him  freely  of  their  occupations,  reverses 
and  successes,  religious  life,  and  even  of  their 
matrimonial  affairs.  Robert  Breckenridge,  a 
Tamil, — principal  and  teacher  of  the  self-support- 
ing Christian  English  School  in  Batticotta, — in 
acknowledging  a  letter  written  at  Chicago,  reveals, 
by  implication,  something  of  the  pains-taking, 
friendly,  and  spiritual  quality  of  the  Doctor's  let- 
ters, in  these  felicitous  expressions:  "I  thank 
you  for  its  sweet  contents;  it  was  really  a  delicacy 
to  the  tons:ue  and  much  more  to  the  soul."  This 
year  he  had  the  privilege  of  attending  the  Annual 
Meeting  of  the  American  Board  at  Philadelphia, 
where  he  had  a  delightful  interview  with  a  party 
of  fellow-missionaries  to  the  Tamils,  who  had 
returned  for  rest  and  recuperation. 


CHAPTER    X 


J859-1861:    ^T.  37-39. 


17 OR  some  time  the  Secretary  of  the  Board  had 
been  looking  for  a  missionary  physician  for 
the  Madura  Mission.  Dr.  Nathan  Ward,  who 
had  been  fourteen  years  in  the  Ceylon  Mission 
previously  to  the  term  of  Dr.  Green,  and  fourteen 
years  absent,  now  offered  to  return.  The  question 
arose  with  the  Prudential  Committee  as  to  the 
expendiency  of  accepting  Dr.  Ward's  offer,  and 
transferring  Dr.  Green  to  Madura;  which  of 
course  could  not  be  decided  without  having  first 
consulted  him.  He  replied  without  delay:  "Were 
the  climate  of  Madura  as  favorable  as  that  of 
Jaffna,  I  should,  on  account  of  the  larger  scope 
and  the  greater  demand  for  mission  labor  of  all 
sorts,  prefer  that  field.  I  fear  my  weak  eyes 
would  scarce  endure  the  ophthalmia  so  trouble- 
some there,  and  my  head  (even  in  Jaffna  pecu- 
liarly sensitive  to  the  sun  and  heat)  would  ill  en- 
dure the  hot  dry  winds  and  the  higher  tempera- 
ture of  Madura.  I  should  feel  willing  to  try  it, 
if  thought  expedient,  though  probably  I  should 


Aetat.  37.1  Transfer  to  the  Madura  Mission.  149 

need  to  be  made  an  exceptional  case,  and  spend 
always  the  hot  season  on  the  Hills.  Though  I 
have  a  strong  attachment  to  the  work  in  Jaffna 
and  to  many  friends  there,  white  and  colored,  yet 
I  would  cheerfully  relinquish  that  for  any  other 
part  of  the  Tamil  field.  Only  my  fear  is  that 
none  other  offers  a  climate  so  little  trying  to  my 
constitution  as  that  of  Jaffna.  I  would  just  leave 
the  case  with  the  Committee — to  send  me,  if  at 
all,  where  they  can  turn  me  to  the  best  account." 

The  transfer  was  voted  on  the  17th  of  Novem- 
ber, and  at  the  same  time.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Ward 
were  reappointed  to  the  Ceylon  Mission. 

Not  till  a  month  later  was  the  long  silence 
respecting  his  proposal  for  a  Medical  Missionary 
Society  in  New  York  broken  and  explained. 

From  Dr.  Harris. 

253  Fourth  Avenue,  Dec.  17,  1859. 

To  Samuel  F.  Green,  M.  D. 

My  Dear  Doctor: 

On  returning  to  my  home  in  the  city, 
after  my  summer  toil  and  care  on  the  Hospital 
Ship  in  the  Quarantine  service,  I  find  many  let- 
ters unanswered,  and  many  duties  that  demand 
my  attention. 


i^o  •  Letter  from  Dr.  Harris.  lA.  D.1860. 

I  last  evening  found  your  friendly  letter  written 
to  me  in  August  last.  I  read  it  to  my  students, 
all  of  whom  ought  to  be,  and  I  hope  will  be, 
missionary  physicians. 

I  wish  now  to  co-operate  with  you  in  carrying 
out  the  plan  you  have  proposed  for  a  permanent 
organization  of  the  friends  of  Medical  Missions 
and  Christian  consecration  to  such  labors. 

I  propose  to  invite  some  fifteen  or  twenty  of 
our  Christian  physicians  to  meet  you  at  my  house 
any  evening  that  you  may  be  able  to  meet  us, 
and  I  will  also  invite  the  more  advanced  of  our 
devout  medical  students  in  the  city.  Please,  dear 
doctor,  to  communicate  to  me  your  wishes  on 
this  subject,  and  very  soon  after  New  Year's  I  shall 
hope  to  be  again  at  home,  and  ready  for  such  per- 
sonal service. 

Hoping  that  your  health  is  improved,  and  your 
heart  encouraged  by  the  experiences  of  the  Sum- 
mer and  Autumn,  I  beg  you  to  accept  my  hearty 
thanks  for  your  faithfulness  in  reminding  me  of  a 
duty  I  would  have  performed  had  I  been  in  the 
city,  and  which  now  I  hope  to  attend  to  if  you 
are  ready  to  guide  the  friends  who  may  come 
together. 

Very  truly  yours, 

Elisha   Harris. 


Again  Dr.  Green  went  to  New  York  to  spend 
the  winter  with  his  brother  and  sisters  there,  to 
exert  his  influence  in  behalf  of  missions  as  oppor- 


Joy  and  regret  at  transfer. 


tunities  mignt  occur,  ana  to  improve  wnatever 
advantages  he  misfht  avail  himself  of  at  medical 
institutions  and  in  the  practice  of  eminent  physi- 
cians. His  experience  enabled  him  to  be  of 
ereat  assistance  to  Dr.  Goodale,  who  was  about 
to  2:0  to  a  foreisrn  field  as  a  medical  missionarv, 
in  procuring  medicines  and  instruments. 

When  it  became  known  in  the  Madura  Mission 
that  he  had  been  transferred  to  that  field,  the 
missionaries  were  ver\-  much  rejoiced.  Mrs.  Rendall 
wrote:  "Your  kindness  to  me  and  all  the  little 
ones  with  me,  and  your  daily  consistent  Christian 
conduct  on  board  the  Ap^ra  and  in  London,  have 
caused  vour  name  to  be  ensrraved  on  mv  heart  as 
a  true  and  tried  friend.  I  thank  the  Lord  for 
thus  richly  answering  our  requests  and  supplying 
us  with  one  already  equipped  for  the  work."  Mr. 
Rendall  wrote:  "How  glad  we  are  all  to  hear  of 
your  appointment  to  our  iMission.  I  received  a 
note  from  Brother  Hastings  by  which  I  see  that 
he  is  quite  inclined  to  demur  to  this  arrangement. 
I  rejoice  with  the  iMadura  brethren,  and.  if  need 
be,  shall  shed  a  tear  or  so  with  the  Jaffna  brethren. 
See  to  it  that  you  retain  a  hold  on  some  good 
friends  at  home  who,  without  giving  less  to  the 
Board,  will  esteem  it  a  privilege  to  help  you  in 
any  enterprise  you  may  wish  to  carr}'  out  to  in- 
crease the  knowledge  of  the  medical  art  among 


1^2  Failure  of  project  in  New   York.         [A.  D.  i860 

the  natives.  I  think  you  will  find  a  wide  door 
open  for  preaching  the  gospel  through  the  Dis- 
pensary in  Madura.  I  was  hoping  for  some  good 
doctor  who  would  be  obliged  to  stammer  for 
years;  but  now,  behold,  the  Lord  sends  one  who 
has  the  Tamil  at  his  tongue's  end." 

On  the  ist  of  March,  Dr.  Green,  "with  Dr. 
Harris,  drew  up  a  list  of  Christian  physicians 
probably  favorable  to  Medical  Missions,"  called  on 
four  himself,  and  left  others  for  Dr.  Harris  and 
Dr.  Post  to  confer  with.  After  all  his  efforts, 
however,  it  was  deemed  inexpedient  to  organize; 
those  who  favored  the  movement  thought  they 
were  too  few  to  make  a  beginning  with  any  hope 
of  success. 

In  the    Autumn,  he    addressed    the    following 
letter  to  the  Secretary  of  the  American  Board: 

Worcester,  Mass.,  Nov.  7,  i860. 
Rev.  R.  Anderson,  D.  D., 
My   Dear  Sir: 

Just  subsequent  to  the  embarkation  of  the 
brethren  for  Ceylon,  after  which  I  consulted  with 
Dr.  Jeffries  on  my  prospects  for  return  to  India, 
I  looked  in  at  your  office  but  failed  of  seeing  you. 
I  wished  to  mention  that  his  opinion  is  still  de- 
cidedly adverse  to  my  going  in  the  spring,  as  is 


Aetat.  38.]  Health  not  yet  established.  153 

that  also  of  an  experienced  and  intelligent  physi- 
cian in  this  city.  My  head  is  not  so  fully  recovered 
as  it  ought  to  be  even  for  pressing  business  here, 
much  less  for  the  same  in  the  tropics.  1  still  wish 
and  hope  to  engage  again  in  the  good  work  among 
the  Tamils,  but  the  day  seems  still  distant.  The 
field  for  a  missionary  physician  in  Madura,  is  ex- 
ceedingly inviting  and  one  I  could  enter  upon 
with  all  my  heart,  but  I  must  relinquish  for  the 
present  my  expectations  in  favor  of  some  one 
blessed  with  the  vigor  to  meet  all  the  demands  of 
that  position.  The  community  there  is  so  large 
that  perhaps  two  physicians  could  each  find  abun- 
dant usefulness,  aud  should  health  hereafter  war- 
rant, I  should  be  happy  to  act  as  co-laborer  with 
another  in  the  same  department  of  the  Mission. 

Very  truly  yours, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Dr.  Anderson  replied  as  follows: 

Missionary  House,  Boston,  Dec.  i,  i860. 

Dr.  S.  F.  Green,  Worcester,  Mass. 

My  Dear  Brother: 

Your  letter  of  the  7th  ult.  was  duly  recieved, 
and  the  Committee  authorized  us  to  look  for 
another  physician  for  Madura.  As  there  is  almost 
no  prospect  of  our  finding  the  right  man,  I  would 
ask  how  it  would  do  for  you  to  go,  with  the  ex- 


154  A  TamiVs  appeal.  [A.  D.  I860. 

pectation  of  spending  the  first  year  or  two  in  the 
Pulneys?  This  is  a  feasible  plan,  especially  as 
there  is  now  a  horse  road  all  the  way  up.  .  .  . 

As  ever,  most  affectionately  yours, 

R.  Anderson,  Sec.  A.  B.  C.  F.  M. 

Affairs  at  Green  Hill  kept  Doctor  Green  there 
throuo^h  the  Winter  of  1 860-61,  so  that  he  did  not 
go  to  New  York  till  near  the  last  of  March,  where 
he  employed  his  time  very  much  as  in  previous 
seasons  there.  On  the  i6th  of  May  he  had  his 
"chest  auscultated  and  percussed  by  Dr.  Camman, 
who  found,  on  the  right  infra  clavicular  region,  the 
respiration  roughened  and  the  expiration  prolong- 
ed," but  thought  there  were  no  tubercles  and  that 
these  physical  signs  might  be  accounted  for  by 
adhesions. 

He  was  now  "gradually  buying  up  outfit,  medi- 
cal and  surgical,  emptying  pocket  and  filling  head." 
On  the  31st  a  Tamil  teacher  wrote:  "I  hope  that 
you  are  quite  well  and  you  will  kindly  condescend 
to  dwell  -among  us  and  do  good  to  us  and  not  to 
Madura  people.  Your  absence  from  Jaffna  is  felt 
and  lamented  all  ov^x  Jaffna.  I  hope  that  you 
are  not  unconscious  about  it.  I  assure  you,  Sir, 
that  your  name  is  printed  in  our  minds  in  capital 
letters  and  cannot  be    easily  obliterated.     Many 


Aetat.  38.]  Death   of  Dr.    Wai'd.  155 

young  men  desire  to  learn  medicine,  but  who  will 
teach  ?  These  young  men  are  anticipating  your 
arrival  in  Jaffna.  Sir,  kindly  change  your  mind 
and  come  to  Jaffna." 

In  company  with  missionaries  Smith  and  Bates, 
Dr.  Ward  had  sailed  from  Boston,  on  the  30th  of 
October,  r86o,  in  the  Sea  King,  bound  for  Madras, 
which  point  they  reached  on  the  iith  of  March, 
1861.  In  due  time  it  was  learned  in  Boston  that 
Dr.  Ward  died  when  about  thirty  days  out  on  the 
voyage.  On  the  23d  of  August,  Dr.  Green  wrote 
to  Dr.  Anderson:  "My  transfer  to  the  Madura  Mis- 
sion was  based  on  the  appointment  of  Dr.  Ward 
to  Jaffna.  I  acquiesced  in  this  arrangement  in 
hope  of  a  complete  restoration  to  health.  This 
expectation  having  been  only  partially  realized, 
and  Jaffna  being  again  destitute  of  a  missionary 
physician,  I  think  it  expedient  to  request  my  re- 
appointment to  the  Ceylon  Mission."  The  Pru- 
dential Committee  promptly  complied  with  his 
request. 

Dr.  Green's  father  was  now  in  his  eighty-fifth 
year,  and,  on  the  15th  of  September,  with  his  ten 
children,  "attended  public  worship  at  the  Central 
church,  in  Worcester,  Rev.  Dr.  Sweetser's.  On 
the  1 6th,  these  ten  sons  and  daughters,  all  assem- 
bled at  Green  Hill,  and  remained  too;ether  in 
social  converse  during  the  day,  and  in  the  evening 


156  Rc-union  of  the  Green   Family.  [A.  D.  1861. 

were  joined  by  a  circle  of  relatives  and  friends. 
This  family  reunion  was  the  more  remarkable  from 
the  widely  distant  places  of  business  and  residence 
of  the  family,  and  their  long  separation  from  the 
paternal  mansion.  Their  names  and  places  of 
residence  were  as  follows:  Hon.  William  N.  Green, 
Worcester,  Mass.;  Lucy  M.  Green,  New  York 
City;  Mary  R.  Green,  New  York  City;  Julia  E, 
Green,  Worcester,  Mass.;  Dr.  John  P.  Green 
Copiapo,  Chili,  South  America;  Hon.  Andrew  H. 
Green,  New  York  City;  Dr.  Samuel  F.  Green, 
Batticotta,  Ceylon;  Lydia  P.  Green,  Worcester; 
Oliver  B.  Green,  Esq.,  Chicago,  Illinois;  Martin 
Green,  Esq.,  Peshtigo,  Wisconsin." 

A  few  weeks  later   Dr.  Green  thus  wrote  to  one 
of  his  brothers: 

Green  Hill,  Worcester,  Mass.,  Oct.  3,  1861. 
My  Dear  Brother  Oliver: 

All  hail.  The  sun  has  just  sprung  over 
the  old  pines,  and  as  it  glows  into  my  room  I  feel 
as  if  I  would  call  some  of  its  warm  radiance  and, 
naming  it  "fraternity,"  send  it  to  you,  my  beloved 
brother;  but  as  I  cannot  do  just  that,  I  will  by  ink 
and  pen  say  how  my  heart  joys  over  your  recent 
visit,  and  how  I  feel  full  of  comfort  in  the  assur- 
ance that  we  are  one  in  Christ.  This  is  truly  the 
summum    bonum.     What    can    we    want    beside.? 


Aetat.  39.]  Letter  to  O.  B.  Green.  157 

"He  that  spared  not  his  own   Son,  how  shall  he 
not  also  freely  ^ive.  us  all  things?"  Laiis  Deo. 

I  have  great  joy  in  thinking  of  your  daughters — 
my  darling  nieces — growing  up  under  such  auspices. 
May  you  be  blessed  to  transfusing  into  their  char- 
acters not  only  all  of  Christ  there  is  in  you,  but  to 
inciting  them  to  seek  and  teaching  them  how  they 
may  secure  more.  My  love  to  each  of  them  and 
to  your  spouse,  my  youngest  and  much  loved  sis- 
ter, by  adoption  mutual. 

Affectionately,  your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

17 


CHAPTER    XI. 


1 861-1862:    .ET.   39-40. 


T  TNDER  re-appointment  to  his  former  position, 
Dr.  Green  now  regarded  the  time  of  his 
return  as  near  at  hand.  After  three  months  at 
Green  Hill  he  went  again  to  New  York,  where 
he  well  knew  how  to  keep  himself  busy,  useful 
and  improving — availing  himself  especially  of 
opportunities  to  advance  the  cause  of  missions, 
and  of  the  advantages  afforded  by  medical  insti- 
tutions. 

Extracts  from  one  of  his  letters  at  this  time  to 
his  sisters  Julia  and  Lydia. 

No.  I  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York,  Jan.  14,  1862. 
My  Dear  Sisters  : 

I  was  much  interested  in  hearing  yours 
and  Father's  letters  read  last  evening.  Sisters 
two  and  I  had  a  quiet  time  in  back  parlor  by  our- 
selves, .  .  .  talking,  and  enjoying  in  silence  the 
near  presence  of  the  beloved.  .  .  .  When  in  si- 
lence a  number  allied  by  blood  and  long  associa- 
tion encircle  an  evening  hearth,  don't  the  hearts 


Aetat.  39.]  To  a  nep/ietn  in  the  ai'viy.  159 

keep  whispering  to  each  other  and  conning  of 
each  other  and  praying  for  each  other  to  God? 
We  had  a  good  time  and  you  were  present  by 
epistle. 

I  wish  to  have  six  or  eight  entertaining  profit- 
able non-x^\^\ovi?>  books  for  use  amono^  the  Crew 
of  the  "good  ship."  They  will  serve  to  intro- 
duce directly  religious  reading  into  the  forecastle. 
Will  you  kindly  see  if  such  can  be  selected  from 
among  those  already  well  used,  so  that  I  may 
either  buy  here  or  take  those. 

...  A  Second  Lieutenant's  Commission  is 
here  for  Nephew  W^illiam.  I  had  a  good  time  at 
the  New  York  Eye  Infirmary  yesterday.  .  .  . 

Truly  your  grateful  and  loving  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

To  William  Nelson  Green,  Jr. 

No.  I  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York, 

Thursday,  Feb.  13,  1862. 

My  Dear  Nephew  W^illiam: 

In  these  days  our  interest  for  you  intensi- 
fies. We  have  heard  of  the  battle  of  Roanoke 
Island,  and  are  most  desirous  of  tidings  from  you. 
W^e  know  you  will  not  delay  intelligence  as  to 
your  condition,  and  we  shall  watch  eagerly  for 
the  earliest  news.  We  will  hope  all  is  well  with 
you. 


i6o  Preparations  for  departure.  [AD.  1862. 

I  should  indeed  be  delighted  to  see  you  again 
and  to  listen  to  some  of  your  experiences  narrated 
by  your  own  lips.  I  shall  be  very  glad  also  to 
see  your  wishes  for  promotion  met — feeling  it  an 
advantage,  not  only  to  one  very  near  and  very 
dear  to  me,  but  to  the  cause  of  our  Nationality — 
for  I  believe  you  would  act  conscientiously  and 
ably,  having  used  every  endeavor  to  fit  yourself 
for  more  responsible  duty. 

I  am  busy  one  way  or  another,  addressing 
Juveniles,  shopping  on  outfit,  to-day  send  a  draft 
to  Philadelphia  for  a  hundred  and  twenty-two 
dollars  worth  of  Medical  Books;  I  get  forty  per 
cent,  discount  by  the  liberality  of  the  publishers. 
I  am  laying  in  a  pretty  good  stock  of  Surgical 
instruments.  .  .  . 

I  pray  for  you  daily  that  God  will  "cover  your 
head  in  the  day  of  battle,"  will  keep  you  from  the 
pollutions  of  the  world,  and  will  enable  you  to 
"stand  up  for  Jesus" — His  good  soldier. — With 
very  much  love  and  sympathy  believe  me. 

Your  affectionate  uncle, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

It  was  now  arranged  that  he  should  sail  in 
May,  and  he  made  his  final  purchases  of  medi- 
cines, instruments,  apparatus,  medical  books,  and 
whatever  else  was  required  to  complete  his  out- 
fit. A  few  lines  from  one  of  the  newspapers 
show  one  of  the  ways  in  which  he  sought  to  make 


Aetat.  39.J  Marriage.  i6i 

himself  useful  during  his  term  of  rest  and  recu- 
peration. "  His  numerous  friends  will  be  glad  to 
learn  that  the  renewal  of  his  health  warrants  him 
in  retracing  his  steps  to  the  land  of  his  chosen 
labors.  His  numerous  addresses  before  our  Sun- 
day-schools have  been  listened  to  with  delight, 
and  he  will  leave  behind  him  thousands  who  will 
ever  feel  an  attachment  to  him,  and  an  abiding 
interest  in  his  prosperity  and  long  life  in  the 
work  to  which  he  has  devoted  his  energies  and 
his  all." 

Dr.  Green  returned  in  April  to  Green  Hill,  to 
make  the  final  preparations  for  his  departure,  to 
make  his  visits  to  friends  in  the  vicinity,  and  to 
give  his  last  few  weeks  to  his  father,  whom,  it 
seemed  almost  certain,  he  was  never  to  see  again 
in  this  world.  On  the  one  subject  which  his 
friends  in  Ceylon  had  urged  upon  him  as  so  im- 
portant he  seems  to  have  maintained  a  dignified 
silence;  not,  however,  a  stoical  or  careless  indif- 
ference. It  soon  appeared  that  he  had  chosen 
one  to  be  his  companion  for  life  who  was  in 
every,  way  worthy  of  himself;  and  on  the  22d  of 
May,  at  a  farewell  missionary  meeting  in  the 
Central  Church,  where  they  both  had  been  ac- 
customed to  worship,  he  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Margaret  Phelps  Williams,  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Sweetser  performing  the  service.     It  was  an 


1 62  Farewell  meetings.  [A.  D.  1862. 

# — 

occasion  of  special  interest  to  the  pastor  and  his 
people,  manifested  by  a  very  large  assemblage. 
They  had  followed  with  appreciation  the  young 
man  whom  they  so  gladly  helped  to  fit  out  for 
the  blessed  work  fifteen  years  before,  and  now 
they  were  to  have  a  new  tie  to  the  cause  of  for- 
eign missions  in  general  and  to  the  American 
Ceylon  Mission  in  particular.  Dr.  Green  had 
already  received  the  following  letter,  from  Dr. 
Anderson,  Secretary  of  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M. 

Missionary  House,  Boston,  May  19,  1862. 

If  the  vessel  sails  on  Monday,  we  must 
arrange  for  the  Prudential  Committee  and  their 
wives  to  meet  the  departing  missionaries  on  Sat- 
urday evening  at  the  house  of  some  member,  and 
to  have  the  services  on  shipboard  at  10  o'clock 
Monday  morning.  I  am  persuaded  that  you  and 
your  wife,  and  the  friends  of  both  of  you,  who 
shall  come  to  Boston  to  see  you  off,  will  be  better 
satisfied  by  a  calm  and  deliberate  attendance  at 
both  of  these  meetings,  than  by  the  very  hurried 
departure,  and  consequent  non-acquaintance  with 
us  on  the  part  of  your  wife,  involved  in  your  com- 
ing from  Worcester  Monday  morning.  But  hav- 
ing said  thus  much,  I  must  leave  it  for  you  to 
judge  what,  on  the  whole,  is  best  for  you  to  do. 
I  very  much  rejoice  that  you  are  to  have  such 
good  company,  which  I  doubt  not  you  greatly 
need  and  richly  deserve  to  have. — With  affection- 
ate regards  to  the  lady,  I  am,  as  ever, 

R.  Anderson. 


Aetat.  39.]  Letter /ro7n  Rev,  Afidrew  Jukes.  163 


From    the    Rev.    Andrew   Jukes,    formerly    in 
Hull  and  now  in   London,   England;    a 
clergyman,  and    author    of   seve- 
ral religious  works. 

Hull,  May  16,  1862. 

My  Dear  Sir,  and  Brother  in  Christ: 

Your  kind  note,  enclosed  in  one  from  C. 
W.  Knudsen  and  dated  29th  of  April  last,  reached 
me  quite  safely  this  morning;  and  as  you  tell  me 
that  very  shortly  you  return  to  India  I  hasten  to 
write  at  least  a  hurried  line,  to  catch  to-morrow's 
mail  from  Liverpool,  which  may  reach  you  before 
you  leave  New  York. 

It  is  indeed  pleasant  to  be  reminded,  by  a  letter 
like  yours  from  a  stranger  who  is  yet  a  brother, 
of  the  bond  which  binds  us  so  closely  to  all  those 
who  by  grace  are  united  to  our  common  Lord 
and  Saviour,  who  though  unknown  in  the  flesh 
are  loved  in  spirit  for  the  sake  of  a  common  life 
in  Christ  Jesus.  Your  letter  therefore  was  very 
welcome,  the  more  as  it  also  brought  good  tidings 
of  our  not  forgotten  brother  C.  W.  Knudsen.  As 
to  the  little  book  you  ask  for,  on  the  Mystery  of 
the  Kingdom,  it  is  at  present  out  of  print,  nor 
can  I  get  even  an  old  copy  for  you  anywhere  to- 
day; but  if  you  could  let  me  have  your  address  in 
India,  I  would,  please  God,  send  one  of  the  first 
copies  of  the  new  edition. 


164  Letter  from  Rev.  Andrew  Jukes.         [A.  D.  1862. 

Will  you  tell  Knudsen  that  we  hope  to  write 
to  him  in  the  course  of  the  next  week.  To-day  I 
cannot  do  so,  as  I  am  fully  engaged  with  other 
work,  and  the  American  mail  leaves  us  this  morn- 
ing. This  must  also  be  my  apology  for  so  hur- 
ried a  line  to  you;  but  I  trust  it  will  not  be  the 
end  of  our  correspondence.  I  owe  under  God 
not  a  little  to  one  of  the  first  missionaries  sent 
out  by  the  American  Board  of  Foreign  Missions, 
I  mean  Gordon  Hall,  some  of  whose  letters  were 
once  a  great  blessing  to  me,  and  which  I  reprint- 
ed years  ago  when  I  was  at  Cambridge.  His 
letters  quite  drew  me  to  missionary  work,  for 
which  I  offered  myself;  but  God's  providence  kept 
me  here. 

Farewell,  dear  brother.  Peace  be  multiplied 
to  you  and  yours. 

Yours  in  Christian  bonds  of  love, 

Andrew  Jukes. 

The  following  letter  was  sent  by  the  Pilot  from 
the  vessel  on  which  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Green  sailed  for 
India. 

Star  0/  Peace,  Boston  Harbor, 
May  26,  11:40  A.  M. 

My  Dear  Friends: 

We    have  just  left  the  grouped  affection 
out  of  sight  (but  never  out  of  heart).     The   Pilot 


Aetat.  39.]  Letters  written  at  sea.  165 

says  he  will  take  back  any  letters.  ...  I  cannot 
find  words  to  fully  express  all  the  thankfulness  I 
feel,  and  which  is  fully  due  to  so  many  dear  and 
kind  and  loving  and  faithful  friends.  May  the 
Lord  restore  into  your  own  hearts  many  fold  the 
favors  you  have  done.  1  don't  know  what  I  could 
have  suo-orested  that  has  not  been  done.  You  are 
all  so  kind.  The  fruits  of  the  kindness  are  valu- 
able, but  the  kindness  and  love  itself  are  unspeak- 
ably precious.  All  is  from  the  great  Source  of 
Love.  To  whom  first  be  praise,  and  next  to  you 
each  and  all  be  thanks.  .  .  . 

With  fervent  affection,  I  am  your  son,  brother, 
cousin,  friend, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

To  A  Brother. 

At  9>^A,June  19,  1862. 

As  to  diffidence:  don't  let  the  Devil  get 
control  of  your  tongue  even  to  silence  it.  En- 
courage yourself  to  speak  by  such  thoughts  as, 
" My  lips  belong  to  Christ;  my  speech  is  owned 
by  One  who  bought  all  with  his  very  blood,  etc." 
Then,  for  the  effort,  seek  to  rest  in  Jesus;  by  pre- 
vious prayer  acquire  a  repose  in  Him,  and,  ignor- 
ing self,  realize  you  speak _/<?.'-  Him,  and  you  will 
speak  dy  Him;  He  will  aid  you.  I  think  I  can 
assert  this  from  my  own  experience.  Seek  to 
speak  more  from  the  heart  than  from  the  head, 
and  let  there  be  feeling  manifest. 


1 66  Diffidence.  I  A.  D.  1862. 

Diffidence  scarce  any  one  ever  had  more  than 
I  myself,  and  I  am  convinced  it  is  pride  in  one  of 
its  disguises.  Get  out  of  self  and  into  Christ, 
and  you  are  ready  for  speaking  (given  the  subject 
chosen  and  revolved  previously).  Then  neither 
shrink  from  nor  willfully  seek  opportunity  to  hold 
forth.  But  watching  providence,  spring  with 
alacrity  into  any  opening  for  edifying  or  instruct- 
ing.—  My  dear  Brother,  I  look  for  your  complete 
triumph  over  this  bugbear,  and  by  anticipation 
rejoice  already  with  you  in  it. — 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

As  the  time  approached  when  the  Star  of  Peace 
was  expected  at  Madras,  messages  were  sent  from 
Ceylon  to  welcome  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Green  to  the 
mission. 

I. 

From  the   Rev.  J.  C.  Smith. 

OoDoopiTTY,  Aug.  29,  1862. 

Your  welcome  note  in  pencil  brought  us 
cheering  news  and  took  us  all  aback.  We  had 
given  you  up  as  a  hard  case  and  concluded  that  it 
was  your  fate  to  remain  in  single  blessedness,  not- 
withstanding the  gloominess  of  it  in  this  land.  .  , 
Perhaps  the  whole  matter  had  been  in  a  process 
of  development  sub  rosa,  communications  being 
carried  by  "Electric"  telegraph,  and  brought  to  a 
consummation  at  just  the  right  time.     I  hear  that 


Aetat  39.]  Congratulations  and  welcome.  167 

you  made  provision  for  a  double  seated  bandy 
some  months  before  you  left,  which  shows  that 
you  had  some  faith  that  you  would  be  provided 
for  in  time  of  need. — A  hearty  welcome  to  "Sister 
Green." 

II. 

From  Mrs.  J.  C.  Smith. 

We  long  to  hear  of  your  arrival  at  Madras, 
and  more  still  to  bid  you  welcome  to  Jaffna — not 
alone,  as  we  supposed  up  to  the  last  moment,  for 
we  did  not  understand  the  following  sentence  in 
one  of  your  notes  as  a  prophecy :  "But  sudden  cor- 
ners are  sometimes  turned  in  life's  pathway,  and 
one  may  confront  a  friend  almost  before  he  is 
aware."  We  are  greatly  rejoiced  that  this  was 
your  happy  experience.  "Sister  Green"  will  re- 
cieve  as  cordial  a  welcome  as  any  one  of  the  com- 
pany. Your  native  friends  are  greatly  rejoiced 
by  the  prospect  of  soon  seeing  you  again. 

Augtist  30th. 

III. 

From   Mr.  Hastings. 

Manepy,  Sept.  I,  1862. 

You  are  perhaps  passing  our  "Sweet  Isle" 
just  about  this  time,  and  by  the  time  this  reaches 
Madras,  or  soon  after,  will  be  at  anchor  in  Madras 
Roads.     Would  that  I  had  a    telescope  like  the 


)68  Letter  from  Rev.  Mr.  Hastings.         [A.  D.  1862. 


Irishman's,  which  was  of  such  power  that  it  brought 
the  moon  near  enough  for  him  to  hear  the  inhabit- 
ants "speaking  with  one  another."  If  I  could 
bring  you  up  near  enough  to  exchange  greetings 
I  would  give  you  a  hearty  welcome.  But  in  the 
absence  of  such  a  wonderful  instrument  I  am. con- 
strained to  do  the  next  best  things — send  herewith 
my  greetings  and  a  hearty  welcome  to  your  double 
self,  Brother  and  Sister  Green. 

I  shall  not  attempt  to  tell  you  what  pleasure 
the  news  of  your  bringing  Mrs.  Green  gives  to  all 
— white  and  black.  You  will  learn  for  yourself 
when  you  reach  Jaffna.  Since  the  news  of  your 
re-appointment  to  Jaffna  many  have  inquired,  ist. 
Is  Dr.  Green  coming  back?  2d,  Is  he  married .f* 
and  when  No.  2  was  answered  in  the  negative, 
with  a  look  of  disappointment  it  has  been  asked, 
"Why,  Sir,  doesn't  he  get  married  .^^  Is  it  caste  or 
property  that  stands  in  the  way.?" 

We  are  fully  prepared  to  give  our  new  Sister 
a  cordial  welcome  and  a  distinguished  place  in 
our  Circle. 

Dr.  Mclntyre,  a  native,  wrote:  "I  am  exceed- 
ingly happy  that  you  are  coming  with  a  fit  com- 
panion, to  whom  I  send  my  humble  Salaam." 

V. 
From  the   Rev.  M.  D.  Sanders. 

Batticotta,  Sept.  3,  1862. 
I  am  so  rejoiced  that  you  and  the  How- 


Aetat.  39.1  Letter  from  Rev.   Mr.  Sanders.  169, 

—  ^ 

lands  and  Mrs.  Green  are,  if  the  Lord  will,  to  be 
with  us  so  soon,  that  I  hardly  know  how  to  ex- 
press my  feelings.  It  seems  a  long  time  since 
you  were  here  and  we  had  those  pleasant  meet- 
ings for  prayer  and  praise.  I  hope  that  a  long 
and  useful  service  awaits  you. 

The  natives  begin  to  show  their  teeth  in  view 
of  your  near  approach.  I  spent  three  weeks 
touring  in  the  Wanny  in  June,  and  I  found  peo- 
ple there  who  knew  you.  At  one  rest  house  a 
man  was  complaining  of  his  pains  and  quietly 
remarked,  "  If  Dr.  Green  were  here  he  would  cure 
me. 

I  think  we  have  a  Medical  Class  which  you 
will  greatly  value.  There  is  real  talent  in  it,  but 
the  boys  need  your  presence  and  direction  much. 
Mclntyre  (a  Tamil)  seems  to  be  lame  in  Chem- 
istry, and  it  is  impossible  for  Rice  (a  Tamil)  to 
give  them  all  the  experiments  they  ought  to  "have. 

VI. 

From  the  Rev.  Levi  Spaulding. 

OoDooviLLE,  Sept:  12,  1862. 

I  am  so  glad  to  know  that  you  are  all  but 
with  us  again,  and  the  more  so  as  we  learn  that 
you  have  made  vast  improvements  since  you  left 
us.  Even  a  short  man  may  become  tall  by 
"doubling  his  shadow."  Of  this  we  do  not  intend 
to  doubt  but  live  in  the  full  assurance. 


lyo  Letter  from  Dr.   Spaulding.  [A.  D.  1862. 

As  for  ^ee  Oodoovillans — we  are  just  exactly 
as  when  you  left  us,  only  a  little  more  so.  We 
have  made  but  few  applications  at  your  shop, 
though  had  you  been  really  there  we  might  have 
called  a  few  times. 

....  You  will  find  some  of  itS  weak  in  body, 
and  weak  in  Tamil,  but  on  the  whole  most  of  us 
have  made  great  progress  in  this  department 
within  a  year — I  ■$,2^^  great,  at  least  visible.  Come 
and  see  and  learn  for  yourself.  Mary  says:  "Be 
sure  you  send  my  love,  and  hearty  and  warm  antic- 
ipations, and  what,  and  what  not,  of  all  good 
thoughts  and  feelings." 

And  now  since  you  have  enlarged  your  benev- 
olent bias  you  will  not  think  this  is  all  for  your- 
self, so  please  hand  over  a  large  share  to  others. 

To  HIS  Father,  Sisters  and  Brothers. 

Star  of  Peace,  Sept.  i6,  1862. 

Remembering  you  all  specially  on  this  our 
family  anniversary,  I  desire  to  communicate  to 
you  my  feelings  and  circumstances.  We  lie 
almost  at  a  dead  calm.  We  are  mostly  ready  for 
going  on  shore;  could  run  up  to  Madras  in  three 
days,  and  may  be  three  weeks. 

I  am  in  very  good  health,  I  think  quite  as  well 
as  any  of  our  party  of  six;  insensibly  I  seem  to 
have  come  to  the  top  of  the  ascent  back  again  to 
my  usual  health,  which  however  was  never  very 
rugged.     I  hope  this  may  be  an  earnest  of  per- 


Aetat  39.]  Gratitude  for  blessings.  171 


mission  to  serve  our  Master  among  the  Tamils 
for  another  decade.  I  begin  to  feel  the  nearness 
to  my  adopted  people  and  desire  heartily  to  be 
inclined  and  enabled  to  meet  them  in  just  the 
best  way;  for  this,  as  for  other  blessings,  I  would 
"rest  in  the  Lord." — I  would  offer  as  my  senti- 
ment to  you  all  in  view  of  the  whole,  "  O  magnify 
the  Lord  with  me  and  let  us  exalt  His  name 
together." 


While  the  ship  was  yet  in  the  Roads,  Dr.  and 
Mrs.  Green  received  from  Rev.  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
Winslow  some  flowers  and  a  hearty  welcome  to 
their  home. 

From  the  Rev.  J.  Rendall. 

Madura,  Sept.  y::),  1862. 

God  be  praised  for  his  great  mercies  to 
you.  First  of  all  I  am  disposed  to  thank  Him 
for  giving  you  a  wife.  Please  give  her  my  best 
Salaams.  May  you  both  be  spared  to  labor  many 
years  in  India. 

I  was  greatly  disappointed  when  I  heard  that 
you  were  not  coming  to  our  Mission.  At  first  L 
rather  thought  of  scolding  you  and  Dr.  Anderson. 
But  on  a  second  thought  have  concluded  to  for- 
give you.  .  .  .  You  must  of  course  come  over 
sometime  with  your  wife  and  see  us.  You  know 
the  value  of  the  Pulneys.     We  are  now  building 


172  Letter  fro7Ji  Rev.  J.  Kendall .  [A.  D.  1862. 


houses  at  Pulney  the  north  side  of  the  mountain, 
and  at  Mana  Madura  eighteen  miles  south  of 
Tirupuvanam.  ...   I  am,  as  ever. 

Affectionately  yours, 

J.  Rendall. 


CHAPTER    XII 


1862-1863:    ^T.  40-41, 


A  FTER  a  fortnight  at  Madras,  and  the  day 
after  the  completion  of  the  fortieth  year  of 
his  age,  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Green  sailed  in  a  brig,  and 
reached  Oodoopitti,  Ceylon,  on  the  19th  of  Octo- 
ber in  the  evening.  It  was  but  a  three  hour's 
drive  to  Manepy  their  designated  station.  The 
joy  of  their  arrival  was  not  confined  to  the  Mis- 
sion, but  was  shared  by  the  foreigners  in  the  vi- 
cinity, as  well  as  by  the  natives,  as  will  be  seen 
in  the  following  letter  from  one  of  the  native 
doctors. 

Badulla,  Nov.  18,  1862. 

My  Dear  Sir: 

I  cannot  find  words  to  express  the  pleas- 
ure I  felt  in  finding  your  name  among  the  late 
arrivals  to  Ceylon,  but  it  will  afford  me  far  greater 
pleasure  to  hear  from  you  that  you  have  come 
back  to  the  scene  of  your  former  labors  in  restored 
health  and  strength,  and  there  again  to  devote 
your  talents  and  energies  for  the  benefit  of  my 


174  Regret  of  Madura  Missionaries.        [A.  D.  1862. 

countrymen  both  in  a  spiritual  and  temporal  way. 
Although  a  period  of  five  years  elapsed  since  you 
left  the  shores  of  Ceylon,  speaking  not  only  for 
myself  but  also  my  countrymen,  I  can  say  that 
your  name  has  always  lived  in  our  memory,  and 
we  never  better  knew  the  value  of  your  devotion 
for  our  good  than  when  you  were  absent  from  us, 
and  now  that  it  has  pleased  Providence  to  restore 
us  to  you  we  trust  that  you  will  be  spared  long 
for  us,  .  .  .  Permit  me,  my  dear  Sir,  To  Remain  as 

Yours  very  Respectfully, 

Ira  Gould, 

If  there  is  a  pleasure  in  knowing  one's  self  to 
be  missed  where  he  has  been,  there  may  be  a 
kindred  pleasure  in  knowing  that  his  absence  is 
regretted  where  he  was  only  expected.  While 
Dr.  Green  received  the  heartiest  welcome  to  his 
old  field  of  labor,  there  was  genuine  disappointment 
in  another,  that  he  had  not  been  transferred  to  it 
in  fact  as  he- had  been  for  a  time  by  appointment. 
"I  every  day  the  more  regret,"  wrote  Dr.  Chester, 
"that  your  destination  has  been  changed  and  that 
you  are  not  coming  to  Madura.  I  think  you 
would  have  had  here  a  larger  field,  not  alone  for 
medical  an(^  surgical  practice,  but  for  the  raising, 
of  native  medical  helpers."  Mr.  Webb  of  Dindigul 
in  replying  to  a  short  note,  said,  "  You  must  not  feel 


Aetat.  40.J  Convictions  of  duty.  17c 


we  have  given  you  up  because  you  concluded  to 
— give  us  up," 

His  brother  Andrew  had  felt  quite  unreconciled 
to  his  return  to  Ceylon,  both  because  of  his  pre- 
carious health,  and  because  he  disliked  to  have 
him  beyond  easy  reach  and  frequent  correspond- 
ence. Only  convictions  of  duty  towards  One 
whom  he  regarded  as  more  than  a  brother  con- 
strained him  to  return. 

Manepy,  Jaffna,  Ceylon,  Friday,  Nov.  28,  1862. 
My  Dear  Brother  Andrew: 

....  I  am  pressed  immensely  at  times, 
and  always  I  believe  I  shall  have  more  to  do  than 
I  can  accomplish.  So  I  have  one  more  ground 
for  sympathy  with  you. 

If  I  could  have  you  for  my  guest  for  a  few  days 
I  should  doubly  rejoice,  for  besides  the  social  en- 
joyment I  should  be  sure  of  your  reversed  vote 
about  my  being  here.  Your  wish  opposing  was 
one  of  the  greatest  trials  I  had  to  surmount  in 
getting  away  from  home  on  what  there  seemed, 
and  here  most  emphatically  proves,  to  be  a  call  of 
duty.  I  should  like  to  have  you  present  at  two 
or  three  of  my  hour  sessions  with  the  Medical 
Class,  eleven  in  number,  an  intelligent  set  of 
young  men  most  earnest  to  acquire  the  Medical 
Science  and  Art,  and  who  hang  upon  me  so  con- 
fidingly and  look  to  me  so  docilely  for  training; 


176  Joy  at  resMjiption  of  labor.  [A.  D.  1862. 

and  then  to  go  a  few  times  to  the  Dispensary  and 
see  the  crowds  of  sick  seeking  relief,  and  to  look 
at  the  Medical  Department  generally  and  see  how 
in  all  its  branches  hard  and  faithful  labor  by  a 
competent  man  is  needed.  Medical  care  of  the 
Mission,  translation  of  books,  etc.,  etc.,  make  out 
at  least  a  treble  and  thrice  loud  call  for  one's 
presence  here. 

I  acknowledge  I  yearn  to  see  you,  and  pine  to 
tears  sometimes  when  I  think  of  you.  But  .  .  .  . 
consent  to  severance  for  Christ's  sake,  and  then 
it  will  be  a  blessing  to  us  both.  .  .  . — Lovingly 
and  gratefully  and  with  much  esteem  I  am 

Your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Obviously  no  one  could  have  been  more  re- 
joiced at  his  resumption  of  his  duties  as  a  medi- 
cal missionary  than  Dr.  Green  himself.  He  loved 
the  people  for  whom  he  was  laboring  for  Christ's 
sake;  and  it  seemed  to  him  that  if  any  one  from 
a  Christian  land  could  see  them  as  he  saw  them 
his  sympathy  could  not  be  withheld.  When  one 
can  have  every  temporal  want  anticipated  and 
supplied  for  affection's  sake,  it  is  no  ordinary  self- 
denial  that  forgoes  the  privilege,  to  labor  for  the 
heathen.  It  is  surprising  that  one  who  was  so 
recently  on  the  list  of  returned  invalids  at  home 
could  so  soon  take  upon  himself  so  much  as  he 


Aetat.  40.J  Full  of  work.  177 

was  now  doing.  To  carry  on  the  work  of  an 
evangelist,  of  a  medical  teacher,  of  a  practitioner, 
and  of  a  translator  and  editor  of  medical  works, 
would  seem  to  require  the  full  strength  of  one 
man  in  each  division  of  labor.  It  was  only  by 
svstematic  use  of  his  time  that  he  could  do  all 
this.  Of  course  he  was  obliged  to  have  assistance 
wherever  it  could  be  used  to  advantage.  His 
brief  outline  of  the  daily  routine  of  work  with  the 
patients  at  his  Dispensary,  in  the  following  letter, 
indicates  the  energy,  industriousness,  patience 
and  zeal,  without  which  he  could  not  long  have 
carried  his  whole  burden.  Of  course  his  assist- 
ant, if  not  already  qualified  by  previous  experience 
and  study,  must  be  instructed  as  to  the  portion  of 
Scripture  to  be  selected  and  as  to  the  proper  ex- 
planation of  it;  and  this  exercise  of  expounding 
the  Scripture  to  the  patients  was  a  means  of  fit- 
ting him  for  independent  religious  work,  as  well, 
as  of  bringing  the  patients  to  a  knovvfedge  of  the 
word  of  God. 

Tuesday.,  December  9,  1862. 

My  Dear  Sister  Lydia: 

....  Yesterday  I  prescribed  for  over  fifty 
patients,  I  should  judge.  They  assemble  in  a 
shed  just  south  of  the  study,  which  I  use  as  a 


178  A  day  at  the  Dispensary.  [A,  D.  1862.. 


Dispensary  and  which  is  about  four  rods  from  our 
dwelHng.  At  9  o'clock  A.  M.  the  Assistant  reads 
a  part  of  the  gospel  and  explains  it  to  them,  and 
gives  tickets  i,  2,  3,  etc.  Then,  in  order  of  the 
number  of  ticket,  we  examine  and  prescribe  and 
give  medicine  and  send  away;  and  then  hold  a 
meetinor  with  the  next  set,  that  come  too  late  for 
the  9  o'clock  exercise,  and  ticket  them  and  attend 
them  and  send  them  the  same  way.  Sometimes 
we  have  a  third  set  to  attend. 

Several  of  the  Mission  need  Dental  aid,  and  I 
am  waiting  for  an  interval  of  leisure,  but  it  seems 
like  "waiting  for  the  river  to  run  by,"  and  so  I 
intend  to  break  away  to  this  station  and  that  for 
this  purpose  occasionally,  leaving  the  Dispensary 
to  go  on  by  itself.  .  .  .  — Lovingly,  your  brother. 


Samuel  F.  Green. 

If  he  had  not  already  been  a  firm  believer  in  the 
special  providences  of  God,  he  received  an  ex- 
emplification of  the  doctrine,  which  could  hardly 
have  failed  to  convince  him  of  the  truth  of  it;  for 
both  he  and  his  wife  had  one  of  those  narrow  es- 
capes which  people  generally  speak  of  as  miracu- 
lous because  they  cannot  account  for  them  in  any 
other  way  than  by  divine  interposition,  and  which 
no  one  could  explain  by  the  doctrine  of  chances 
without  claiming  that  it  was  the  one  chance  in  a 
thousand, — which  no  one  who  had  passed  through 


Aetat.  40.]  A  special p7'ovidence.  179 

such  an  experience  would  be  likely  to  contend 
for,  and  no  one  who  had  not,  but  perceived  the 
imminent  danger,  would  be  willing  to  risk.  That 
one  should  be  awakened  at  the  critical  moment, 
interpret  a  slight  unusual  noise  as  a  sign  of  imme- 
diate danger,  hasten  to  see  about  it  and,  in  re- 
turning for  a  key,  find  himself  in  the  only  place 
of  safety  in  the  midst  of  an  avalanche;  and  that 
his  companion,  without  a  change  of  position, 
should  lie  exactly  so  that  the  falling  weight 
should  lodge  without  crushing  her,  must  be  as- 
cribed only  to  the  special  providence  of  God. 

Manepy,  Jaffna,  Ceylon,  Monday,  Dec.  22,  1862. 

My  Dear  Sister  Lucy: 

On  Friday  morning  last  about  6  o'clock  I 
heard,  on  waking,  the  sound  of  mortar  shelling 
off  and  dropping  from  the  wall,  and  with  this 
occasional  sounds  as  of  snapping  and  cracking. 
I  rose  to  look  out  into  the  south  verandah,  as  for 
a  long  while  (several  years)  the  posts  of  it  had 
stood  leaning  outwards,  and  I  had  apprehensions 
lest  it  should  fall.  The  rain  had  been  persistent 
for  about  nine  days,  and  the  heavily  tiled  roof 
was  thoroughly  soaked,  so  that  the  tiles  were 
heavier  than  usual.  1  went  through  the  east  ve- 
randah, designing  to  go  through  the  study  to  see 
about  the  south  verandah.  Finding  the  door, 
leading  from  the  study  to  it,  locked,   I  was  about 


i8o  Narrow  escape.  [A.  D.  1862. 

to  return  for  the  key.  While  in  the  doorway 
under  shelter  of  the  thick  wall,  the  stone  support- 
ing the  timber  which  ran  along  the  top  of  the 
south  verandah  posts  fell  from  the  corner  of  the 
study  wall  and  let  the  weight  of  the  roof  on 
to  the  post  next  it,  which  lurched  away,  and  then 
the  next,  and  so  on.  These  not  only  carried 
away  the  verandah  roof  but  dragged  off  the  main 
roof  also,  in  an  instant  uncovering  entirely  our 
bedroom  and  the  study  and  half  of  the  south  ve- 
randah, and  letting  down  upon  us  an  avalanche 
of  timber,  tiles  and  mortar.  For  a  moment  I  was 
mentally  stunned  by  the  crash,  but  recovering 
immediately  I  called  to  Margaret,  who  was  still 
in  bed,  and  was  glad  indeed  to  hear  her  voice, 
from  under  the  wreck,  sounding  as  calm  as  ever. 
The  dragging  of  the  posts  to  the  southward  drew 
the  weight  just  past  her,  so  that  it  fell  without 
injuring  her;  but  where  I  was  lying  a  half  min- 
ute previous  the  tiles  fell  in  in  great  quantity,  the 
heavy  chunks  of  masonry  from  the  roof,  and  the 
ends  of  the  rafters,  resting  on  what  would  have 
been  the  place  of  my  mangled  body.  A  step  this 
way  or  that  would  have  been  death  to  either  of 
us.  A  stick  rested  hard  upon  Margaret's  head, 
which  we  got  off  (help  being  summoned  immedi- 
ately and  the  day  having  dawned  and  the  rain 
having  just  ceased),  then  one  which  pressed  on 
the  shoulders,  then  one  on  the  right  leg.  Not  a 
drop  of  blood  was  lost;  not  a  wound  or  a  fracture. 
Literally  she  came  within  an  inch  of  death,  and  I 
within  a  second  of  it. 


Aetat.  40.]  Gratitude  for  preservation.  i8i 

....  My  watch,  which  lay  in  the  middle  of 
the  bed,  was  crushed.  Our  bedsteads — two  single 
ones — stood  side  by  side;  the  adjacent  beams  of 
them  were  broken  short  across,  five  posts  were 
out  and  eight  broken,  a  wardrobe  broken  at  the 
top,  four  chairs,  a  couch  at  the  foot  of  our  bed, 
my  hat-tree  broken  up,  etc.,  etc. 

We  were  just  two  months  to  a  day  in  our 
adopted  place  and  had  just  got  well  settled.  But 
the  joy  of  such  a  graciously  granted  complete 
escape  of  limb  and  life  overshadows  any  grief  at  a 
sudden  ejection  from  a  home.  "Magnify  the 
Lord  with  us,  and  let  us  exalt  his  name  together, 
for  He  has  redeemed  our  life  from  destruction." 
I  feel  richer  for  such  an  experience  of  God's 
providence,  and  wish  to  realize  that  my  exposure 
is  constant,  and  my  safety  in  Christ  as  continual. 
In  Christ,  safe  anywhere;  out  of  Christ,  safe 
nowhere.  .  .  . 

Very  affectionately  your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Later  in  the  month  he  wrote  to  a  friend:  "I 
have  a  temple  musician  under  treatment  who  is 
the  victim  of  licentiousness.  To  care  for  him 
comes  his  own  aunt  who  is  his  foster-mother. 
She  is  an  old  Dancing  Girl  [alias  a  prostitute  by 
distinctly  recognized  profession).  They  belong 
to  one  of  the  two  most  famous  temples  of  Jaffna, 
the  Siva  temple.  .  .  . 

19 


1 82  Sacred  music.  [A.  D.  1862. 

"A  Brahmin  comes  the  distance  of  eight  miles 
with  carbuncle;  he  is  very  hungry  and  very  weak,  * 
and  is  advised  to  stay  a  day  or  two  (after  free 
incisions).  But  he  is  too  holy  to  stop  anywhere 
about  here,  even  in  the  temple  rest-house  close 
by;  so  he  goes  in  his  ox  cart  slowly  home,  and 
after  duly  bathing,  etc.,  will  take  a  meal. — Just  as 
we  were  about  operating,  a  lizard  chirped,  and 
his  son  anxiously  reckoned  whether  the  omen 
was  favorable  or  not." 

Dr.  Green  had  long  been  interested  in  the 
subject  of  sacred  music  for  the  Tamils.  He 
reasoned  on  this  subject  in  the  same  way  as  he 
had  on  that  of  science  and  literature,  believing 
they  could  never  have  what  they  needed  so  long 
as  they  were  supplied  only  with  Western  hymns 
and  tunes.  During  his  k)rmer  term  of  service 
he  had  urged  the  matter  upon  those  who  were 
able  to  help  provide  lyrics  and  music,  and  with 
considerable  success ;  the  result  in  another  portion 
of  the  field  is  thus  reported  by  Mr.  Sanders,  who 
had  gone  to  the  Pulney  Hills: 

"  Providentially  I  had  the  great  privilege  of 
attending  meetings  in  sixteen  places,  and  at  four, 
several  in  each  place.  In  all  these  meetings  the 
Lyrics  have  been  sung,  with  two  exceptions. 
The  Christians  all  sing  and  seem  to  enjoy  the 
music.     The    feeling    in    favor    of  the   Lyrics  is 


Aetat.  40.]  The  Jaffna  Hospital.  183 

universal  among  the  natives  (so  far  as  I  can  learn), 
•and  it  is  about  the  same  among  the  missionaries. 
The  editions  of  Lyrics  which  have  been  published 
are  exhausted,  and  a  new  edition  is  about  to  be 
published  by  Murdoch  and  Company.-  May  that 
style  of  church  music  prevail  which  shall  be  for 
the  spiritual  edification  of  that  portion  of  God's 
people  who  speak  the  Tamil  language." 

The  Jaffna  Friend  in  Need  Society  had  been 
in  existence  some  years  before  Dr.  Green's  first 
arrival  in  the  District,  but  the  Hospital  connected 
with  it  was  not  built  till  some  years  afterwards. 
Soon  after  his  re-turn  he  heard  a  rumor  from  the 
natives  that  the  Hospital  was  to  be  put  under  his 
superintendence.  As  the  Hospital  had  no  con- 
nection with  the  American  Ceylon  Mission,  the 
rumor  must  have  started  from  something  said,  or 
understood  to  be  meant,  to  that  effect  by  some- 
body who  had  some  relation  to  that  institution; 
for  subsequent  movements  proved  that  the  rumor 
was  not  without  foundation. 

Having  had  some  conversation  with  Assistant 
Government  Agent,  L.  F,  Liesching,  Esq.,  about 
the  Hospital  and  the  desirability  of  connecting 
with  it  a  Medical  School,  Dr.  Green  received 
from  the  Government  Agent  and  chairman  of 
the  Hospital  Committee,  P.  A.  Dyke,  Esq.,  a 
request  for  an  expression    of    his    views   on  the 


184  The  S7iJ>enntende?icy.  [A.  D.  1862. 

subject  of  that  conversation.  He  complied,  giv- 
ing a  brief  outline  of  such  a  plan  as  occurred  to 
him  for  making  the  Hospital  more  useful, — "a 
day-dream  perhaps  but  somewhat  of  which  at 
least  a  diligent  and  intelligent  energy  could  make 
reality."  This  led  to  a  call  from  the  chairman 
and  from  the  Financial  Secretary,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Pagiter.  This  conference  was  soon  followed  by 
a  letter  from  the  Secretary,  asking  whether  he 
would  take  the  superintendence  of  the  Hospital, 
and  adding:  "I  shall  be  glad  to  know  that  you 
consent;  for  I  am  inclined  to  the  opinion  that 
your  connection  with  the  Institution  would  be  of 
incalculable  benefit  and  advantage  to  it.  The 
natives  have  such  perfect  confidence  in  you  that 
it  would  become  more  popular  than  ever." 

Seeing  the  possible  and  probable  advantages 
that  might  accrue  to  his  medical  students  by 
clinical  lectures,  and  to  his  department  in  the 
Mission  by  some  additional  funds.  Dr.  Green 
submitted  the  question  to  the  Mission;  and  on 
receiving  their  approval,  he  consented  to  take  the 
management  of  the  Hospital  for  three  months,  to 
see  whether  two  visits  a  week  would  consist  with 
his  other  duties  so  as  really  to  add  to  his  useful- 
ness. On  examination  he  found  that  some 
important  changes  were  needful  to  the  best  pros- 
perity of  the  institution,  and,  at  the  risk  of  some 


Aetat.  40.]  House  repaired. 


probable  unpopularity,  re-organized  its  forces  with 
a  view  to  greater  economy  and  efficiency.  The 
connection  which  was  begun  as  an  experiment 
resulted  in  a  continuance  for  several  years, — the 
compensation  being  about  two  hundred  and  fifty 
dollars  annually,  besides  a  hundred  and  fifty  dol- 
lars annually  for  traveling  expenses,  as  the  distance 
between  Manepy  and  Jaffna  was  about  five  miles. 
Before  the  middle  of  March  Dr.  Green  wrote 
to  his  friends:  "Our  house  approaches  comple- 
tion. I  am  making  the  roof  extra  strong  so  as  to 
put  another  fall  beyond  a  peradventure,and  so  help 
to  calm  our  nerves  which  do  not  yet  wholly 
recover  from  the  shock,  but  when  at  night  similar 
sounds  in  the  roof  to  those  just  preceding  the 
crash  occur  we  have  yet  a  little  tremor."  By 
their  calamity,  others  were  led  to  examine  their 
premises  and  to  use  such  precautions  as  seemed 
prudent,  thus  verifying  the  couplet. 

Except  wind  stand  as  never  it  stood, 
It  is  an  ill  wind  turns  none  to  good. 
Another    evidence    that    his    labor    in  putting 
medical  science  into  Tamil  had  not  been  in  vain 
appears  in  the  letter  which  follows. 

Cochin,  May  4,  1863. 
Samuel  F.  Green,  Esq.,  Jaffna. 
Sir: 

I    beg    to    thank  you  for  your  very  kind 


1 86  Tamil  and  E)iglish  names.  [A.  D.  1863. 

letter  and  enclosure  to  Mr.  Hunt  for  the  illustra- 
tions I  had  applied  for. 

In  publishing  an  Anatomy  in  Malayalam  I  hope 
you  will  have  no  objection  to  my  making  use  of 
your  Taniil  Translation,  so  that  the  circulation 
and  usefulness  of  that  work  may  be  extended  to 
the  natives  of  this  part  of  Southern  India.  When 
the  book  is  finished  I  shall  be  very  happy  to  send 
you  a  copy. — An  early  answer  will  oblige 

Yours  faithfully, 

P.  Jos.  Itteyuah. 

It  has  been  a  question,  perhaps,  why  so  many 
Tamils  are  called  by  names  familiar  to  Americans. 
The  reason  is  that  they  have  two  names — one  for 
the  natives  and  one  for  the  foreigners.  The 
Doctor  found,  on  his  return,  nine  little  boys 
named  after  himself.  Here  is  a  letter  about  the 
Lyrics,  too  good  to  be  omitted,  from  two  "infan- 
tile sons  of  one  of  our  best  catechists." 

From  the  Masters  Lee. 

Naranthany,  May  8,  1863. 

Honored  Sir: 

We  are  well  by  the  almighty  power  of  our 
heavenly  father.     We  are    happy    to    hear   your 


Aetat.  40.1  Assurance.  187 

welfare  from  your  honour.  We  request  you  very 
humbly  to  send  us  a  book  of  Tamil  songs. 
Samuel  and  I  want  it  as  a  present.  We  will 
study  ourselves  and  sing  before  the  boys,  cur 
mother  will  sing  to  the  women  and  the  girls  who 
are  coming  to  hear  about  Jesus  from  her,  and 
father  will  use  it  among  the  people  for  the  Lord's 
glory  which  is  to  be  powerfully. — Your  obedient 
and  most  humble  children, 

Levi  S[paulding]  Lee. 

Samuel  G[keen]  Lee. 

Dr.  Green  seems  never  to  have  been  troubled 
with  doubts  or  despondency,  but  to  have  always 
enjoyed  the  consciousness  of  knowing  in  whom 
he  believed.  It  was  his  assurance  in  Christ  that 
enabled  him  to  rise  above  his  natural  diffidence. 

Manepy,  Jaffna,  Ceylon,  Sat.,  May  30,  1863. 

'My  Dear  Sister  Lydia: 

....  It  seems  as  if,  as  the  years  fly,  the 
cords  of  affection  strengthen.  I  am  glad  indeed 
that  a  strand  of  faith  is  wreathed  into  our  family 
tie.  It  will  never  sever,  I  believe.  Death  shall 
not  stretch  it.  We  are  one  in  Christ,  and  being 
so  are  joined  for  eternity.  .  .  .  How  keenly  I 
sympathize  with  you  in  the  mental  phase  of  a 
combined  desire  and  a  shrinking  to  speak  with 


1 88  Hopeful  signs.  [A.  D.  1863. 

one  directly  about  his  soul.  I  know  no  way  to 
surmount  such  a  naturally  impassable  barrier 
(which  may  exist  between  even  nearest  relatives) 
but  a  resting  in  Jesus.  Even  in  working  for  our 
Lord  I  think  we  must  the  while  rest  in  him. 
The  branch  abides  and  bears.  Well,  .  .  .  there 
is  one  comfort;  if  we  feel  unable  to  talk  religion, 
we  can  always  talk  religiously — can  have  our 
conversation  "always  with  grace."  .  .  . —  Much 
love  to  you  and  to  all  the  sisters  and  brothers, 

Yours  very  truly, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


His  devotion  to  his  duties  as  a  physician,  med- 
ical instructor,  and  translator,  seems  to  have 
always  been  second  to  his  devotion  as  an  evange- 
list. Notwithstanding  all  that  was  discouraging, 
he  seems  to  have  had  strong  hope  of  great  pro- 
gress in  the  spiritual  and  moral  condition  of  the 
people  at  no  very  distant  period.  In  this  confi- 
dence he  wrote  to  his  sisters  as  follows. 

Manepy,  Jaffna,  Ceylon,  Tues.,June  c),  1863. 

My  Dear  Sister  Julia: 

I  cannot  but  contemplate  the  field  of  effort 
around  me  with  gratitude  and  hope.  I  desire  to 
know  nothing  among  this  people  but  Jesus  Christ 


Aetat.  40.1  Female  education.  ^  i8g 

and  Him  crucified.  The  educated  already  con- 
cede that  God  is  one  only;  but  I  now  crowd  for 
the  next  step,  namely,  that  Jesus  Christ  is  that 
One.  I  substitute  His  name  in  place  of  the  com- 
mon appellation,  God,  in  my  conversations  with 
the  people  ."'.  .  The  people  are — very  many  of 
them — pantheists,  and  one  name  serves  in  their 
view  as  well  as  another. 

Affectionately, 

Your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Manepy,  Jaffna,  Ceylon,  y?/;^r  22,  1863. 

My  Dear  Sister  Lucy: 

I  think  our  energies  should  be  now  largely 
directed  to  female  education.  .  .  .  Though  now, 
even,  education  is  held  by  men  to  be  but  a  mean 
to  an  end,  and  there  is  but  little  love  for  knowl- 
edge for  its  own  sake,  yet  it  has  become  discredit- 
able for  a  boy  of  a  respectable  family  anywhere  in 
our  neighborhood  to  be  wholly  unlettered.  Let 
the  same  result  be  secured  in  the  case  of  girls, 
and  the  day  is  ours.  The  influence  of  women, 
powerful  anywhere,  is  more  than  ordinarily  so 
here,  as  they  are  the  property  holders.  As  they 
are  now  the  chief  reliance  of  the  Superstition  of 
the  land,  so  will  they  be,  I  trust,  ere  the  close  of 
the  century,  of  the  Truth,  which  shall  have  then 


I  go  Letter  to  Dr.  John   Green.  [A.  D.  1863. 

the  prevalence  here.  .  .  . — I  am  most  truly, 
Your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

The  following  letter  was  addressed  to  a  distin- 
guished physician  who  attended  him  in  his  child- 
hood and  with  whom  he  was  familiar  in  his 
vacations  and  during  his  short  time  of  practice  in 
Worcester,  but  who  had  little  sympathy  with  him 
in  his  religious  views,  though  he  appreciated  the 
importance  and  results  of  scientific  medical  prac- 
tice among  the  heathen. 

To  John  Green,  M.  D. 

Jaffna,  Ceylon, y?//}/  14,  1863. 

My  Dear  Cousin  John: 

....  As  I  believe  you  will  feel  a  special 
interest  in  the  Medical  Department  of  the  mission- 
ary work,  I  may  properly  give  you  a  sketch  of  my 
circumstances.  I  have  as  my  understood  duties: 
Medical  charge  of  the  missionaries  and  their 
families;  the  instruction  of  a  Class  of  (eleven) 
youth;  the  oversight  and  general  conduct  of  a 
Dispensary  at  my  station  which  is  Manepy  five 
miles  distant  from  the  town  of  Jaffna;  the  super- 
intendence (generally  on  Tuesdays  and  Fridays) 
of  the  Jaffna  Friend-in-Need  Society's  Hospital. 


Aetat.  40."l  Hospital  work.  191 

.  .  .  The  Society  has  been  long  in  existence  but 
its  Hospital  and  Dispensary  only  for  about  twelve 
years.  .  .  .  Percival  Ackland  Dyke,  Esq.,  for 
twenty  years  or  more  the  Government  Agent  for 
the  Northern  Province  of  Ce3don,  was  virtually 
the  originator  of  this  institution,  and  is  its  main 
spring  at  present.  The  Government  recognize  it 
now  as  established,  and  give, annually  towards  its 
support  a  certain  amount  proportioned  to  the  sum 
raised  locally.  .  .  . 

The  patients  treated  at  the  Hospital  number 
about  eight  thousand  annually, — have  been  up 
nearly  to  ten  thousand  one  year.  F'ormerly 
the  Hospital  was  superintended  by  the  Military 
Surgeon — living  in  the  pretty  coral  stone  Fort 
one  sixth  of  a  mile  distant  from  it.  But  Mr. 
Dyke  seems  to  prefer  another  arrangement  at 
present.  I  have  taken  charge  as  a  trial  for  three 
months,  which  time  is  about  expired.  Whether 
best  to  continue  I  feel  hardly  settled.  There  are 
two  parties  to  be  consulted  in  the  decision.  The 
work,  in  addition  to  other  claims  is  pretty  hard; 
but  it  gives  advantages  for  practical  anatomy  very 
desirable  to  be  secured  for  the  Class,  and  some 
little  surgery.  The  Dispensers  are  young  men  of 
my  own  training.  .  .  . 

I  regret  this  Government  connection  most  on 
the  score  of  book-making,  for  which  so  many 
engagements  leave  me  practically  no  time.  Hut 
I  hope  some  of  the  Graduates  will  exhibit  public 
spirit  enough  to  bring  out  each  some  good  medi- 
cal work  in  Tamil.  I  feel  pretty  sanguine  of  a 
Surgery  thus  produced — to  be  issued  in   two  or 


192  Chrisfs  righteousness.  f  A.  D.  1863. 


three  years.  Able  persons  have  promised  me  to 
bring  out  a  work  on  the  Practice  of  Physic; 
another  at  his  own  expense  to  prepare  a  work  on 
Medical  Jurisprudence.  .  .  . 

This  people  are  quite  intelligent.  The  lack 
with  them,  as  looked  at  from  a  missionary  stand- 
point, is  that  they  know  far  better  than  they  do, 
— which  is  the  defect  of  our  race.  Even  the  most 
unlettered  comes  under  this  class,  and  the  best 
also  must  confess  to  it  as  including  himself. 

I  feel  very  much  obliged  to  you  for  your  assid- 
uous kindness  to  my  father  in  his  recent  illness.  . 
I  like  to  think  of  your  long  and  useful  career. 
You  have  been  singularly  favored.  We  must 
regard  the  inclination  and  ability  for  usefulness 
as  a  gift  and  not,  I  am  convinced,  as  a  merit  by 
which  to  secure  an  earned  reward.  Nothing,  I 
believe,  is  more  offensive  to  our  Maker  than  self- 
righteousness.  It  contemns  the  righteousness  He 
has  achieved  and  offers  for  our  reliance,  and 
presumes  to  present  as  acceptable  to  the  Omnis- 
cient scrutiny  and  the  Infinite  purity  what  we 
forsooth  regard  as  worthy.  I  believe  at  the  last 
srand  assize  men  will  not  be  condemned  for  this 
or  that  enormity,  but  for  a  rejection  of  the  salva- 
tion wrought  and  offered  us  freely  by  Jesus  Christ. 
So  that  the  villain  who  has  in  contrition  trusted 
in  Christ  will  fare  better  than  the  purest  moralist 
who  will  be  beholden  to  none  other  (than  himself) 
for  his  heaven. 

Sivaism,  in  its  more  refined  parts,  is  a  system 
of  morality.  It  inculcates  alms,  and  the  land  is 
studded  with  rest-houses,  road-side  wells,  village 


Aetat.  41.]  Surgical  operations.  T93 

temples,  all  made  as  works  of  merit.  The  heathen 
never  "found  out  God"  but  have  attempted  to 
satisfy,  by  gifts  and  tortures.  Him  who  owns  them- 
selves and  all  their  acquisitions,  and  whose 
demand  is  the  obedience  of  the  entire  life,  inward 
and  outward. 

But  I  see  my  letter  is  growing  long,  and  I  will 
not  moralize.  I  only  wish  you  may  be  so  happy 
as  to  appreciate  and  enjoy  the  love  of  Christ 
personally  for  you  as  His  penitent,  grateful,  ador- 
ing follower  and  friend.  All  other  loves  are  but 
hints  of  this,  as  mere  sparkles  and  twinkles 
compared  with  an  unclouded  meridian  sun 

With  best  wishes,  grateful  memories,  high 
esteem  and  sincere  affection,  I  am. 

Yours  very  truly, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Some  notion  of  the  surgical  operations  per- 
formed at  the  Hospital  on  the  days  Dr.  Green 
visited  it  may  be  had  from  this  record  of  the  7th 
of  August:  "Danforth  sent  me  a  note  saying  two 
Chank  gatherers  had  been  severely  bitten  by  a 
huge  shark.  I  saw  them  this  morning.  One  has 
four  bad,  deep,  large  bites  in  his  right  thigh, and  the 
other  has  his  right  thigh  bitten  off,  leaving  as  stump 
the  upper  third.  We  sawed  off  a  bit  of  the  bone 
which  projected  about  three  inches;  performed 
Simm's  operation  on  an  unhappy  woman;  ^nd 
20 


194  Letter  to  W.N.  Gree?i,Jr.  [A.  D.  1863. 

tapped  a  Moorman,  making  out  a  pretty  good 
surgical  clinique  for  the  thirteen  students  and 
three  doctors  present." 

To   his    nephew,  in   the   Northern    Army,  Dr. 
Green  wrote  : 


Thursday,  September  17,   1863. 

My  Dear  Nephew,  William  N.  Green,  Jr.  : 

Your  letter  of  the  4th  of  June  was  most 
gladly  welcomed.  Though  brief  it  spoke  much 
to  my  heart.  I  would  most  unfeignedly  thank 
Our  Father  for  preserving  you  amidst  such  open 
and  great  dangers.  I  thank  him  for  giving  you 
courage  and  strength  and  success.  Let  us,  while 
grateful,  not  alloy  our  thankfulness  by  any.  pride, 
but  say,  "  What  have  we  that  we  have  not  received," 
as  an  out  and  out  gift?  "  Not  unto  us,  O  Lord, 
not  unto  us,  but  unto  Thy  name  be  the  glory."  I 
have  shown  the  narrative  of  your  prowess  to 
several. 

As  in  all  things,  so  in  daring  and  heroism,  Jesus 
is  still  our  Leader.  He  stands  far  ahead  of  the 
boldest  in  manly  courage.  Witness,  His  march 
from  Galilee  to  Jerusalem  with  the  infuriated  mob, 
and  the  cross  all  in  clear  view  and  settled  certainty; 
quiet  but  no  blenching ;  no  "  noise  of  Captains  and 
shouting"  to  stir  his  blood,  but  gentle  as  a  Lamb 
walked  He  into  the  very  face  and  paw  of  wolves 
— fiercest  pack — designedly,  determinedly,  di- 
vinely met  and  suffered  and   overcame  all.     But 


Aetat.  41.1  Heinous  sin.  195 

let  us  beware  of  being  mere  admirers  of  our  "  Great 
Captain."  Let  us  habitually  look  to  Him  as  our 
only  hope,  our  strength  from  hour  to  hour.  You 
must  have  much  need  of  His  help,  and  constantly, 
for  where  war  is  abroad,  vice  is  almost  sure  to  be 
rampant.  But  remember  it  is  better  to  stand 
alone  than  to  fall  with  many.  "  Stand,  therefore, 
having  your  loins  girt  about  with  truth."  And 
may  God  bless  you,  and  may  you  be  very  happy 
in  the  felt  presence  of  the  best  Friend  daily. 

Very  affectionately,  your  uncle  and  friend, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Dr.  Green  seems  to  have  lived  in  close  sympa- 
thy with  Christ  in  revulsion  from  sin,  in  acquies- 
cence in  His  justice  and  in  love  for  His  cause. 


Wed.  23,  Sept.   1863. 
My  Dear  Sister  Julia: 

I  was  thinking  about  you  last  Sunday  a 
great  deal.  ...  1  almost  cried  to  think  that  I 
should  offend  against  one  so  loving.  Then  I 
thought  what  poignancy  remorse  will  acquire  from 
the  fact  that  the  lost  will  realize  at  last  against 
what  wondrous  excellency  and  love  they  have 
obdurately  sinned.  The  rejection  of  Jesus  sur- 
passes in  heinousness  all  other  known  crimes. 
We  shall  and  cannot  but  join  in  the  "Anathema" 


196  Apathy  Umiards  Medical  Missions.       (A.  D.  1863. 

even  on  nearest  relatives,  if  they  at  the  Judgment 
stand  aoainst  Christ.  So  horrible  and  inexcusable 
will  rejection  of  the  Divine  love  appear  to  us.  .  .  . 
We  must  not  let  our  feelings  rebel  against  the 
orderings  of  Providence.  Nay,  I  would  rejoice, 
though  it  be  at  the  expense  of  sundering  from 
dear  esteemed  and  loving  relatives,  that  I  am  per- 
mitted to  live  among  the  Heathen  as  a  "  Witness 
for  the  glorious  Saviour.  ... 

Most  affectionately,  your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

As  this  first  year  of  his  second  term  of  mission- 
ary service  was  about  closing  Dr.  Green  received 
a  letter  from  his  friend  Dr.  Patterson  of  Madras. 
"I  have  had  evidence  enough,"  said  he,  "to  satisfy 
me  of  this,  that  there  is  little  chance  of  people  at 
home  doing  much  for  Medical  Missions,  or  ena- 
bling a  man  to  develop  satisfactorily  the  work  which 
he  has  initiated,  and  I  am  therefore  anxious  if 
possible  to  take  measures  whereby  a  native  staff 
of  agents  may  be  raised  expressly  to  labor  in  the 
Mission  field."  It  was  natural,  however,  that 
physicians  and  others  distant  from  the  field,  should 
fail  to  appreciate  their  work.  But  if  the  supply 
of  physical  wants  disarms  prejudice  against  the 
offered  supply  of  spiritual  wants,  what  relief  can 
be  a  better  introduction  to  the  appeal  of  the 
gospel  than  the  healing  of  the  sick  ? 


Aetat.  41.J  Su7nmary  of  a  year' s  work.  197 

It  is  impossible  to  sum  up  the  results  of  a  year 
of  Dr.  Green's  varied  work,  for  spiritual  results 
are  discovered  by  the  gradual  manifestation  of  a 
renewed  life.  But  the  visible  work  is  enough  to 
show  that  a  medical  missionary  is  necessarily  a 
busy  man.  To  carry  on  the  Dispensary  at  the 
station  is  to  do  the  work  of  a  merchant  in  buying 
and  selling  medicines,  of  a  druggist  in  preparing 
and  dealing  them  out,  of  a  physician  in  examining 
and  prescribing  for  patients,  of  a  surgeon  in  cases 
of  fracture  and  in  those  involving  the  use  of 
instruments,  of  a  teacher  in  superintending  the 
work  of  assistants,  and  of  an  evangelist  in  preach- 
ing the  gospel  and  giving  spiritual  counsel  in 
individual  cases.  The  treatment  of  over  twelve 
hundred  patients  gave  opportunity  at  the  same 
time  to  give  religious  instruction  to  perhaps  as 
many  more  of  their  friends  and  attendants. 

In  training  a  class  of  medical  students,  he  not 
only  had  to  give  regular  intructions  in  the 
several  branches  of  medical  science,  but  to  initiate 
them  in  practice,  to  procure  their  books  and 
instruments,  to  direct  their  work  in  dissections, 
to  give  them  clinical  lectures  when  it  was  prac- 
ticable,— as  it  was  once  every  week  at  the  Hospital, 
— and  to  imbue  them  so  far  as  possible  with  the 
principles  and  spirit  of  the  Christian  faith  and 
life. 


198  Preaching.     Hospital.  [A.  D.  1863. 

Add  to  this  his  preaching  at  stations  and  out- 
stations  as  occasion  required,  in  school  bungalows, 
and  to  gatherings  at  private  houses  on  Sunday- 
afternoons,  and  it  seems  as  if  the  amount  of 
visible  work  was  a  good  deal  more  than  could 
reasonably  be  expected  of  any  one.  Whether  the 
spiritual  results  were  large  or  small,  they  were 
such  as  only  God  could  with  certainty  know.  But 
it  is  certain  that  He  honors  the  means  used  by 
His  appointment,  and  that  the  results  as  He  sees 
them  are  as  disproportionately  great,  as  they  seem 
to  man  disproportionately  small,  in  comparison 
with  the  instrumentality. 

To  all  this  must  be  added  his  work  at  the 
Friend-in-Need-Society's  Hospital, — undertaken 
for  the  opportunities  of  preaching  Christ  to  the 
patients  there,  for  the  pecuniary  benefit  of  his 
department  in  the  Mission,  and  for  the  instruction 
of  '  his  students  in  practical  anatomy, — where 
everything  was  under  his  direction,  and  where 
among  the  eight  thousand  patients  annually 
treated,  the  worst  cases,  especially  in  surgery, 
were  attended  to  by  himself. 


CHAPTER    XIII 

1863-1864:    ^T.  41-42. 


A 


FTER  a  trial  of  three  months.  Dr.  Green  had 
decided  to  continue  to  superintend  the 
Friend-in-Need  Society's  Hospital.  The  main 
inducement  were  the  opportunities  for  shovving 
the  way  of  salvation,  and  the  advantages  to  his 
Class  for  the  study  of  practical  anatomy,  and  for 
witnessing  his  treatment  of  cases  and  learning  his 
reasons  for  it.  He  exhibited  "successfully  and 
repeatedly  Dr.  Simm's  famous  operation — one  of 
the  most  important  advances  in  surgery  of  the 
past  quarter-century." 

In  December,  he  received  from  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Twynam,  English  residents,  a  gift  of  twelve 
pounds  sterling,  or  sixty  dollars.  It  was  made  in 
recognition  of  his  professional  services  and  as  a 
testimonial  of  their  friendly  regard  for  him  person- 
ally. But  he  said,  "  I  consider  it  a  donation  to  the 
Mission,  and  being  now  in  funds  I  am  planning 
for  a  bungalow  for  the  accommodation  of  the  sick 
in  the  Printing  House  compound  southeast  of  the 
Dispensary." 


Letter  to  his  father.  I  A.  D.  1864. 


The  number  of  patients  treated  in  1863  at  the 
Friend-in-Need  Society's  Hospital  and  Dispensary, 
"although  the  Mission  Dispensary  was  again  open- 
ed and  more  than  the  usual  number  of  Practition- 
ers of  Foreign  medicine  were  engaged  in  the 
Province,"  was  8630;  and  the  number  treated  at 
the  Manepy  Dispensary  was  1217,  making  a  total 
of  9847. 

On  the  ist  of  January  Dr.  Green  wrote  his 
father,  the  following  letter,  announcing  the  birth 
of  his  first  child. 


Jaffna,  Ceylon. 


^Y  Very  Dear  Father: 


Your  grand  daughter  waves  you  a  kiss  with 
her  own  hand,  and  wishes  you  a  "Happy  New 
Year." 

If  the  Giver  spares  her  life,  1  shall  teach  her  to 
love  her  grandfather  Green,  and  to  revere  his 
memory.  May  the  Savior  develop  this  additional 
twig,  upon  the  Green-family-Tree,  into  a  bough, 
abundantly  "fruitful  in  every  good  word  and 
work." 

Pray  thus  for  her,  and  that  her  parents  may 
aright  train  this  tendril,  that  it  draggle  not  in 
dust,  but  clamber  on  the  trellis  of  the  Cross. 

Your  loving  son, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


Aetat.  42.]  Sacred  lyrics  in  Ta7nil. 


On  the  4th  he  wrote  his  sister  Mary :  "  Pray 
that  saving  grace  which  the  Lord  was  pleased 
through  your  agency  to  bestow  upon  me  may  be 
perpetuated  and  extended  in  and  through  her  to 
many  others.  '  I  shall  hope  to  teach  her  to  appre- 
ciate the  blessing  she  inherits  in  having  so  many 
praying  relatives.  ....  I  feel  a  new  set  of 
emotions  springing  into  being." 

In  respect  to  native  music  for  public  and  private 
worship,  as  well  as  a  medical  literature  in  Tamil, 
Dr.  Green  found  an  efficient  co-laborer  in  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Webb  of  Dindigul,  who  collected  and 
arranged  the  materials  for  a  book.  Being  obliged 
to  relinquish  his  work  on  account  of  failing  health, 
Mr.  Webb  wrote  :  "  You  speak  of  the  effort  to 
introduce  the  Tamil  music  and  metres  into  our 
Christian  worship.  Magna  est  vei^itas  et pnvah'bii. 
It  is  making  steady  progress.  I  am  satisfied  that 
it  has  advanced  as  fast  as  could  be  expected  ; 
prejudice,  ignorance.and  ecclesiasticism  are  against 
it,  but  h'Mth  is  more  than  these.  I  wish  you  could 
hear  my  hundred  and  fifty  children  with  the  adults 
sinorino;  with  one  voice  and  accord,  and  with  a  will 
too — as  you  could  were  you  here.  I  am  paid  here 
for  everything  I  have  done.  God  will  use  it  as  a 
means  of  great  blessing,  and  will  employ  it  as  an 
agent  for  the  spread  of  his  truth."  It  was  not 
long   before   Dr.  Green  furnished    fifty  copies  of 


C/ass  in  the  vernacular.  [A.  D.  1864. 


the  music  book  to  Mr.  McArthur  of  the  Church 
Mission,  and  disposed  of  all  he  had  to  others  and 
ordered  more,  determined  to  supply  the  commu- 
nity with  Christian  songs  in  their  own  style. 

Among:  the  numberless  absurdities  of  the  na- 
tives,  which  have  a  bearing  on  their  social  if  not 
on  their  moral  welfare,  the  following  incident 
may  be  mentioned.  The  Doctor  lost  his  way,  and 
a  fellow  volunteered  to  be  his  guide.  "  We  walked 
and  talked,  he  long  trying  to  find  out  who  I  was. 
When  he  learned  I  was  the  '  Padre-Physician',  he 
very  confidingly  asked  me  to  make  him  up  a 
Love  Potion,  so  he  could  win  favor  in  the  eyes  of 
some  one  he  wished  to  marry." 

The  Mission  voted  that  Doctor  Green  might 
take  a  medical  class  of  twelve  in  the  vernacular, 
and  employ  two  specified  members  of  the  advanced 
class  to  assist  in  instructing^  them  ;  that  he  might 
get  Mr.  Hunt,  of  Madras,  to  print  fifty  sets  of 
cuts  for  Natural  Philosophy,  and  fifty  for  Surgery, 
in  form  suitable  "  to  bind  in  with  the  manuscripts 
the  boys  might  develop  ;  "  that  he  might  "  have 
printed  five  thousand  copies  of  a  Ticket-tract  to 
give  to  registered  patients  at  the  Dispensary;" 
that  he  might  get  a  dozen  copies  each  of  Anato- 
my and  Obstetrics  "  interleaved  and  strongly  bound 
for  the  use  of  the  Class ;  "  and  that  he  might  "  take 
from    the    Seminary    at    Batticotta   any    unused 


Aetat.  42.]  Translations. 


apparatus  or  chemicals  which  would  be  of  service 
in  training  the  new  Medical  Class."  He  had 
twenty-six  applicants  from  whom  to  select  this 
Class. 

A  translation  of  the  second  part  of  the  Physi- 
cian s  Vade  Mecuin  was  promised  by  Dr.  J.  A. 
Evarts  (Tamil)  by  the  close  of  the  year,  "  This," 
said  Dr.  Green,  "  together  with  the  Manuscript  of 
Druifs  Surgery  in  Tamils  put  at  my  service  by 
Dr.  Danforth  (Tamil),  will  vastly  relieve  the 
difficulty  of  training  in  the  vernacular.  The 
enterprise  is  an  arduous  one,  but  it  seems  clearly 
expedient  to  grapple  with  it.  I  hope  ten  years 
will  show  the  best  results.  My  reliance  is  on 
God  for  his  blessing  on  hard  work.  I  find  the 
technical  terms  prepared  some  years  ago,  before 
I  went  to  America,  of  the  ofreatest  service,  comino- 
out  at  this  juncture  like  buried  treasure.  The 
highly  cultivated  Anglo-Tamil  scholars,  whose 
services  were  availed  of  to  arranore  these  vocabu- 
laries,  are  now  scattered  here  and  there,  at  work 
on  heavier  pay  than  we  can  afford  to  offer." 

In  March  he  was  two  days  in  the  District 
Court  as  a  medical  witness  for  the  Defence  in 
the  case  of  an  alleged  nuisance.  His  description 
of  the  trial  is  interesting  as  showing  progress  in 
one  direction  : 

"Some   Englishmen,  offended   by  the   smell   of 


204  Case  in  coierf.  [A.  D.  1864. 

rottinij  cocoanut  husks  in  the  Beach  mud  aloncr 
and  Opposite  their  residences  (and  our  Health 
Bungalow  on  the  south  shore),  wish  to  drive  off 
the  thousands  whose  livelihood  in  good  part 
depends  on  this  industry  of  getting  out  fibre  and 

twisting  it  into  rope.     Young was  advocate 

for  the  Defendants,  and  threw  himself  well  before 
the  public  in  his  maiden  speech  summing  up  the 

evidence.     He  is  Doctor 's  younger  brother, 

appeared  as  usual  dressed  in  broadcloth  in  full 
European  costume.  He  was  retained,  I  am  told, 
for  fifteen  pounds  in  the  case,  a  good  start  for 
him,  as  the  case  makes  a  wide  sensation,  being  a 
stru2:2:le  between  different  nationalities,  and  is 
decided  for  the  Tamils — the  masses.  The  sight 
of  the  young  man  questioning  the  Government 
Agent  standing  under  oath,  a  first  class  English- 
man, interrogated  by  a  Farmer  Caste  Tamilian, — 
to  see  the  fellow  wipe  the  perspiration  with  a 
large  white  handkerchief,  occasionally  indulging 
in  a  pinch  from  his  snuff-box, — all  together  shows 
a  progress  of  some  sort,  somewhat  an  advance  in 
civilization  if  not  in  Christianity.  There  was  a 
crowd  of  a  hundred  or  so  about  the  Court,  and  I 
was  impressed  by  the  fact  of  seeing  only  two  to 
five  foreheads  bearing  Sivite  marks.  A  Madras 
heathen  would  almost  think  we  had  a  nominally 
Christian  community  here,  I  think." 


Aetat.  41.]  Thoughts  on  death.  205 

To  a  considerable  extent  the  natives  were 
accustomed  to  dispense  with  physicians  and  rely 
upon  themselves.  "  Hitherto,"  said  Dr.  Green, 
"medicine  among  the  Tamils  has , been  a  family 
thing.  This  and  that  secret  passed  down  from 
generation  to  generation.  When  we  have  many 
educated  on  one  basis  in  a  common  general  sys- 
tem of  medicine,  we  may  hope  for  this  pervading 
quackery  to  decline  somewhat." 

To  his  sister  he  wrote : 

Manepv,  Jaffna,  March  18,  1864. 

My  Dear  Sister  Lydia: 

....  I  rejoice  much  in  assurance  that 
you  enjoy  much,  and  that  you  receive  trials  and 
joys  both  in  faith.  It  is  the  chiefest  value  of  life 
— this  living  by  faith  and  so  from  year  to  year 
broadening  our  basis  for  the  eternal  growth  in 
bliss.  My  heart  does  not  sink  nor  quail,  but  it 
almost  trembles  in  tenderness  to  think  of  Death 
waiting  for  you  and  for  me  and  for  each  of^the 
dear  inner  band.  The  mails  between  us  fly  to 
and  fro,  and  we  must  expect  some  letters  to  bear 
news  of  bereavement.  Who  lingers  last  will  bear 
the  most  of  this  trial,  and  who  go  the  first,  the 
least.  Let  us  take  this  all  into  our  calculations 
habitually,  not  in  gloominess  but  in  quiet  resigna- 
tion, nay,  preference  for  God's  plan  in  it  all. 
Death  is  enumerated  in  the  category  of  the  "all 
21 


2o6  Filial  affection.  [A.  D.  1864. 


things  are  yours,"  We  will  appropriate  it  and 
profit  by  it  even  beforehand,  letting  it  also  "work 
together"  with  all  else  "for  good." 

With  the  greatest  esteem  and  affection,  I  am 

Your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Saturday,  March  26,  1864. 

My  Dear  Father: 

Mow  often  I  think  of  you  and  pray  for  you. 
When  I  feel  my  affection  so  drawn  out  toward 
my  little  child  1  realize  as  never  before  how  much 
my  father  loved  me.  When  through  sleeping 
hours  waking  you  carried  me  "far  enough  to  go 
from  Green  Hill  to  the  Ohio,"  I  can  see  that  love 
prompted  the  patience  shown  towards  a  fretful 
babe.  I  see  the  little  girl  is  a  great  teacher,  and 
the  relation  established  in  providence  between 
her  and  me,  gives  much  light  on  many  words  of 
Scripture,  where  the  figure  of  Father  and  child, 
is  used  to  convey  to  us  an  idea  of  the  relation 
existing  between  God  and  us. 

Mr.  Joseph  S.  Kendall  once  remarked  how 
much  my  ways  resembled  yours,  and  so  I  cannot 
but  feel  that  my  parental  emotions  are  not  only 
in  the  general  but  in  particular  like  yours.  I 
hope  all  will  make  me  love  you  still  more  tender- 
ly and  gratefully,  and  help  me  to  love  my  Heav- 
enly Father  with  all  my  heart,  as  I  delight  to 
have  my  little  girl  love  me. 


Aetat.  41.1  Letter  to  his  father.  207 

How  it  does  set  my  bosom  aglow  to  have  the 
darhng  gaze  fondly  in  my  eyes  and  smile  her 
love  so  unmistakably.  Does  an  earthly  father  so 
value  the  love  of  his  child,  and  is  our  Father  in 
Heaven  less  loving  than  we?  "'God  is  love." 
Let  us,  dear  Father,  love  Him  as  He  discloses 
Himself  to  us  in  Jesus  Christ,  growingly,  fully, 
perfectly.  It  is  due.  What  a  shame  that  we  love 
so  little,  so  inconstantly.  Him  who  always  and 
infinitely  loves  us. 

31st. — My  dear  Father,  I  have  to  thank  you 
for  your  two  kind  notes  received  on  the  29th. 
Dates  to  ist  ultimo.  Your  expressions  of  affec- 
tion and  interest  are  duly  appreciated,  I  assure 
you.  I  am  glad  to  learn  of  your  entrance  upon 
your  eighty-eighth  year.  May  your  long  evening 
be  precursor  of  a  glorious  day.  Among  all  the 
tender  emotions  concerning  you,  one  rises  para- 
mount— the  desire  to  be  assured  of  your  hearty 
humble  acceptance  of  Christ  as  your  Sovereign 
.and  Saviour. — With  much  love  I  remain  most 
respectfully  and  affectionately 

Your  son, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


Saturday,  April  2,  1864. 

My  Dear  Sister  Mary: 

.  '.  .  .   I  enjoy  much  rest  in  God.     I  under- 
stand it  to  be  His  gift,  and  know  my  reliance  for 


2o8  Peace.  [A.  D.  1864. 

the  supply  of  faith  all  along  must  be  solely  on 
Him  who  at  first  conferred  it.  No  earthly  treas- 
ure is  to  be  compared  with  it.  It  appears  as  if 
the  whole  tendency,  the  main  design  of  Jesus  in 
this  providence,  is  to  fix  our  trust  in  Himself 
fully,  solely.  I  know  this  comfort  is  not  from 
self,  for  naturally  none  is  more  distrusting  than  I. 
It  will  continue  as  long  as  He  perpetuates  it. 
It  will  cease  the  moment  He  ceases  to  sustain  it. 
He  is  the  author  and  finisher  of  our  faith.  But 
what  a  finisher.  He  does  not  finish  by  putting 
an  end  to  it,  but  by  bringing  it  to  the  highest 
state  of  finish,  by  perfecting  it. 

I  have  1o  thank  God  for  the  influence  of  dear 
Mr.  Knudsen.  He  strongly  bent  me  to  "trust 
all  in  God."  lliis  phrase,  often  on  his  lips  and 
always  in  his  life,  he  seems  quietly  to  have  im- 
pressed on  my  inner  life.  He  has  been,  under 
God's  hand,  the  signet  of  great  peace  to  me.  I 
know  any  hour  the  peace  may  be  dissipated,  but 
I  know  equally  that  if  lost,  God  can  fully  restore, 
and  He  can  so  guard  and  cherish  it  that  the 
inward  rest  shall  never  cease  save  as  it  mero-es 
and  blends  into  the  rest  of  heaven. — With  very 
much  love  I  remain 

Your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

The  parental  heart  will  appreciate  the  domestic 
tenderness  of  Dr.  Green  in  the  following  extracts 


Aetat.  41.]  Letter  to  Julia  E.    Green.  209 

from  letters  to  the  sister  whose  name  he  gave  his 
child: 

Jaffna,  April  13,  1864. 

My  Dear  Sister  Julia: 

I  should  greatly  delight  to  see  our  little 
Julia  in  her  namesake-aunty's  arms.  She  shows 
much  affection  and  intelligence  already.  O  dear 
Sister  Julia,  to  see  her  speaking  eyes  beam  out 
from  her  face  all  lighted  with  smiles  makes  me 
about  as  happy  for  the  moment  as  I  can  hold.  I 
know  you  will  pray  for  her;  ask  her  early  regen- 
eration.    For  all  else  in  comparison  I  care  little. 

July  20th. — I  should  like  you  to  see  baby.  I 
think  she  is  pretty  and  very  active  and  bright.  If 
I  put  on  another  coat  she  observes  it.  She  says 
Papa  now  very  distinctly.  I  have  so  many  things 
to  tell  you  about  her,  but  when  I  come  to  the 
penning  all  seems  to  fail.  However,  you  under- 
stand about  babies  and  can  imasfine  it  all.  Suf- 
fice  it  to  say,  she  is  a  "well-spring  of  pleasure,"  a 
charming  teacher,  a  choicest  treasure. 

Jiily  29th. — Yester-afternoon  I  went  home  af- 
ter part  of  two  days  absence.  The  little  thing 
gave  me  such  a  hearty  welcome  back, — seemed 
so  glad  to  be  in  my  arms  again, — dear  little  pre- 
cious, I  felt  it  worth  a  long  journey  to  get  such  a 
greeting. 

Atigusl  6th. —  Little  J.  has  to-day  taken  up  the 


2IO  Senseless  prejudice.  [A.  D.  1864 


word  Mamma;  so,  with  the  word  Papa,  she  calls 
each  of  us  distinctly. 

Believe  me  most  affectionately, 

Your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Here  is  an  incident  suggestive  of  untold  misery 
resulting  from  the  senseless  customs  and  preju- 
dices of  heathenism.  "  A  wealthy  Moorman,"  wrote 
Dr.  Green,  "called  to  consult  about  his  wife  who 
has  apparently  a  mammary  abscess.  I  suggested 
that  he  take  Latimer  (a  Tamil)  and  let  him  exam- 
ine, and  if  needful  use  the  lancet.  He  could  not 
consent.  No  one  could  be  allowed  to  see  his 
wife.  I  proposed  that  she  be  seated  behind  a 
curtain  through  which  tHe  Doctor  could  do  the 
needful.     But  he  would  not  agrree." 

Dr.  Green  not  only  urged  his  former  students 
to  assist  him,  but  made  them  feel  under  obligation 
to  do  so, — as  is  evident  from  this  letter  from  his 
first  Tamil  graduate. 

Badulla,  May  6,  1864. 
My  Dear  Sir: 

I  received  your  kind  note  a  few  days  ago, 
and  was  hesitating  how  to  answer  it  because  I 


Aetat.  41.]  Letter  from  a  student.  21  j 


have  often  promised  undertakings  of  a  like  nature 
and  have  as  often  failed — of  which  I  feel  thor- 
oughly ashamed.  I  have,  however,  made  up  my 
mind  to  make  an  attempt,  and  to  carry  it  out  I 
require  help  to  a  great  extent. 

What  work  will  you  recommend  for  the  trans- 
lation.? The  edition  of  Taylor,  which  I  have  at 
present,  is  an  old  edition — 1852.  During  the 
last  twelve  years  great  advancement  has  been 
made  in  Physiology  and  Pathology,  which  throws 
great  light  on  Medical  Jurisprudence.  It  is  there- 
fore very  desirable  that  I  should  translate  the 
latest  edition  of  the  work.  Could  you  spare  me 
a  copy-f* 

Yours,  most  dutiful, 

Ira  Gould. 

The  two  Classes  of  Medical  Students,  eleven 
and  twelve,  assembled  with  the  servants  in  the 
Doctor's  sitting  room  at  8  o'clock  A.  M.  for 
prayers.  Of  the  Seniors  seven  were  Christians, 
and  of  the  Juniors  five. 

In  the  course  of  the  summer  he  "finished  find- 
ing, coining,  and  adopting  names  for  all  the  liga- 
ments of  the  body — work  very  interesting  and 
proportionally  exhausting;  a  long  vista  of  it  in 
the  rest  of  Anatomy,  to  say  nothing  of  Chemistry 
and  other  branches  beyond."  He  also  "  completed 
the  examination  of  a  Manuscript  Dictionary  left 
in   1857,  and  secured  the  transfer  of  the  desired 


Naming  children.  [A.  D.  1864. 


words  from  it  to  a  more  recent  and  larger  manu- 
script work." 

Dr.  Green  received  a  letter  from  a  Tamil  en- 
closing money  for  his  brother,  which  furnished 
occasion  for  the  explanation  of  so  many  Tamils 
having  English  names.  "  The  youngest  of  the 
three,"  he  said,  "is  known  in  the  Class  by  the 
name  of  Levi  Spaulding;  but  in  the  letter  he  is 
called  Sinnatambi, — which  means  little-younger- 
brother.  It  is  not  a  heathen  name,  but  the  case 
is  a  sample  of  many  occurrent,  of  using  a  name  to 
suit  foreisrners  and  another  to  suit  the  villagers. 
Dr.  Evarts'  (a  Tamil)  little  boys  are  named  for 
the  foreigner,  Henry,  James,  and  Alfred;  for  the 
village,  Periyatambi,  Sinnatambi,  and  Iliyatambi, 
meaning  respectively,  Great-,  Little-,  and  Young- 
er-younger brother.  All  this  is  less  objectionable 
than  the  usage  in  some  professedly  Christian 
families  where  there  is  for  each  child  some  Euro- 
pean name  and  a  name  of  some  Hindu  idol." 

The  news  of  the  death  of  his  nephew,  Lieuten- 
ant Colonel  William  N.  Green,  Jr.,  at  New  Orleans, 
from  a  wound  received  in  the  battle  of  Pleasant 
Hill,  called  forth  the  following  letter. 

Udupitti,  Jaffna,  Ceylon, y?//)/  28,  1864. 
My  Dear  Brother  Oliver  : 

.    .    ....     Your  welcome  note  of  loth 


Aetat.  41.1  Death  of  Col.   W.  N.  Greeii.  213 


May  I  have  in  hand.  Soon  after  it  was  penned 
our  noble  and  beloved  nephew  passed  into  the 
immediate  presence  of  his  Judge  and  ours.  It 
comes  very  near  to  us — this  affliction.  May  it  do 
us  good  as  it  doth  the  upright  in  heart.  We  have 
but  to  exercise  faith  to  secure  this,  and  faith  is 
the  gift  of  God  who  gives  liberally.  We  shall 
have  all  that  we  will  use. 

Who  knows  whether  this  maelstrom  will  suck 
away  any  other  near  and  dear.^*  whether  the 
Draft  will  crowd  off  from  home  and  friends  any 
other  one  of  our  loved  band.f^  We  can  scarce 
expect  to  be  exempt.  Perhaps  we  should  not 
even  over-anxiously  wish  it,  seeing  our  Country 
is  in  such  sad  case  and  her  only  way  out  seems 
to  be  through  blood. 

Worcester  has  given  largely.  The  Christian, 
be  he  soldier  or  citizen,  may  rest  all  on  Christ, 
assured  that  He  is  Lord  of  lords,  be  tKey  Presi- 
dents, Generals,  or  Dictators,  and  that  all  shall, 
nolens  volens.,  fulfill  His  purposes.  I  cannot  but 
feel  that  when  the  clouds,  now  so  murky  and 
dark  over  our  dear  Land,  shall  have  dispersed, 
we  shall  see  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  nearer 
noon  than  ever  he  stood  before. 

Here  I  have  re-read  your  letter.  It  does  me 
good  to  see  your  interest  in  the  good  cause  look 
out  incidentally  here  and  there.  I  don't  think  it 
restricted  to  exertion  and  success  amone  the 
heathen  nor  among  the  unconverted  anywhere. 
There  is  Christian  growth,  individual  and  collec- 
tive, to  be  encouraged.  There  is  the  advance  of 
nominally  Christian  countries  to  real  Christianity. 


2 1 4  The  greaf  future.  [  A.  D .  1864. 


The  work  of  the  Devil  is  going  on  all  the  world 
over;  but  the  counter- work  of  Christ  is  also  going 
on,  and  growingly  so,  while  the  other  must  stead- 
ily decline.  Here  and  there  the  struggle  waxes 
intense;  everywhere  it  is  in  progress.  In  politics, 
in  socials,  in  all  sections  of  the  race's  life,  tyran- 
nies must  down,  freedom  will  rise.  While  I  feel 
in  the  dark  about  our  Country  as  to  the  imme- 
diate future,  I  feel  all  clear  as  to  the  Great 
Future.  I  think  those  principles  that  cropped 
out  in  the  Reformation,  in  Puritanism,  in  Democ- 
racy are  in  the  aggregate  the  "Stone"  spoken  of 
by  Daniel,  which  became  as.  the  mountain  that  is 
to  fill  the  whole  earth.  It  is  to  "dash  in  pieces." 
It  is  at  work  in  the  old  world  and  in  the  new. 
Though  great  events  are  transpiring,  still  greater, 
one  is  impressed,  must  be  near.  You  there  and 
in  your  way,  I  here  and  in  mine,  are  under  the 
same  Master  and  at  work  for  the  same  great  end. 
May  He  keep  us  faithful  to  the  end,  and  vouch- 
safe us  visible  successes  as  we  can  bear  them.  .  .  . 
— Most  affectionately,  Your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


In  a  letter  of  the  same  date  to  his  friends  at 
Green  Hill,  occur  the  following  sentences: 

"We  all  loved  our  dear  WilHam,  we  admired  his 
spirit,  watched  with  interest  his  rise  into  maturity. 
Our  Heavenly  Father  has  seen  it  best  his  sun 
should  go  down  early.     What  His  might  performs. 


Aetat.  41.]  Expressions  on  death  of  nephew.  215 

His  mercy  plans,  His  love  decrees.  I  feel  the 
blank,  but  I  would  say,  'Thy  will  be  done.'  I  pray 
the  event  may  be  blessed  to  each  of  us  as  individ- 
uals, as  a  family,  as  citizens  concerned  for  our 
Country.  Mav  it  deepen  our  sympathy  for  the 
many  distressed.  We  are  brought  more  into 
fellowship  now  with  the  children  of  sorrow.  Dear 
boy,  I  will  hope  to  meet  him  in  happiness  at  last. 
I  thank  you  for  the  copies  of  those  touching  notes 
of  the  loved  one.  How  excruciating  his  agony, 
and  prolonged.  We  must  praise  God  in  all.  It 
may  be  seen  that  all  this  was  for  his  soul — that  he 
had  a  month  to  adjust  himself  to  meet  his  Maker, 
instead  of  being  dashed  into  His  presence  in  an 
instant  as  were  many  of  his  fellows.  The  Lord 
does  all  things  well." 

To  his  family  at  home  he  wrote : 

Jaffna,  Ceylon,  Friday,  i6  Sept.  1864. 

To  MY  Dear  Father,  my  Dear  Sisters  four, 

AND  MY  Dear  Brothers  five: — Greeting: 

Allow  me,  as  bound  and  privileged,  to 
report  myself  on  this  our  Family  anniversary, —  I 
am  favored  with  fair  health,  with  every  comfort  I 
can  reasonably  ask.  My  work  enlists  my  lively 
interest  and  all  my  available  energy.  I  see  it 
promising  for  the  future,  pleasant  to  day. 


2i6  Letter  to  the  Ho7ne  Circle.  [  A.  D.  1864. 

The  funds  of  the  Med.  Dept.  tho'  limited 
according  to  the  miUion  scale  are  abundant  for 
all  current  exjDense  and  allow  of  judicious  plans 
for  expansion. 

The  assistants  are  intelligent  and  tractable — 
the  students  progressing  hopefully.  So  much  in 
brief  about  self  and  circumstances.  In  spirituals 
I  enjoy  much  and  expect  to  much  more.  I  have 
the  germs  of  bliss  and  confidently  anticipate  the 
full  fruition — be  there  never  so  many  trials 
between. 

My'  desire  for  each  of  you  is  a  firm  and  a  grow- 
ing faith  in  Jesus,  for  I  am  sure  there  is  no  other 
basis  of  happiness  but  this  one  only.  May  we  all 
meet  in  glory,  to  part  never  again. 

With  very  much  love  your  son  and  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Dr.  Green  was  very  careful  not  to  encourage 
the  nati\es  in  mistaking,  civilization  for  Christian- 
ity; but  he  found  occasion  to  say:  "I  begin  to  think 
that  the  change  here  will  be  from  a  waist-cloth  to 
pants,  from  a  scarf  to  a  coat,  from  a  turban  to  a 
hat,  from  vegetarianism  to  carnivorism,  from  a 
hut  to  a  house  and  so  on  till  many  while  yet  un- 
christianized  may  be  denationalized.  1  would 
rather  here  see  Christian  Hindus  than  Hindus 
Europeanized." 


Aetat.  42.]  Missionary  work.  217 

He  had  an  exalted  conception  of  the  missionary 
work,  but  not  to  the  disparagement  of  Christian 
work  of  any  kind  or  in  any  place;  he  said: 

"I  consider  this  work  of  establishing  the  king- 
dom of  Christ  in  hearts  at  home  and  abroad  as 
the  leading  "enterprise  of  every  age.  I  regard  all 
movements  among  the  nations  to  have  their  chief 
importance  in  their  bearing  on  the  advance  of  the 
cause  of  the  Redeemer. 

"Happy  is  each  in  being  permitted  in  his  place 
and  calling  to  live  for  this.  This  object  elevates 
the  lowest  and  ennobles  the  most  servile.  The 
fact  that  not  where  nor  what,  but  how  we  perform 
'the  common  task'  makes  us  co-workers  too-ether 
with  Christ,  may  well  encourage  us  to  patient 
continuance  in  well-doing.  'In  the  service' — ihe 
discipline,  the  successes  are  'great  reward.'  For 
the  service,  'glory,  honor,  immortality'  superadded, 
double  the  recompense.  Who  would  not  work 
for  Jesus .r*" 

As  to  the  condition  of  his  field  he  said:  "Lieht 
has  so  increased  in  Jaffna  that  the  very  head  place 
of  Sivaism  is  seen  to  be  a  den  of  infamy,  and 
some  of  the  heathen,  for  very  shame  I  believe,  are 
calling  for  reforms.  One  of  the  leading  priests  is 
a  votary  of  the  Sakti  system,  and  is  now  a  patient 
with  a  bad  fracture,  consequent  I  believe  on  his 
drunkenness.  All  the  Brahmins  about  this  shrine 
22 


2iS  Light  in  Ceylon.  [A.  D.  1864. 

are  reported  licentious,  and  the  temple  is  but  the 
partner  of  the  brothel.  When  equal  light  shall 
permeate  India,  Brahminism  will  have  become  a 
thing  of  the  past." 


CHAPTER    XIV 


J864-1865:    ^T.  42-43. 


/^NE  of  the  results  of  missionary  labor,  and 
especially  of  foreign  civilized  society,  among 
the  heathen,  is  the  adoption  by  the  latter  to  some 
extent  of  the  habits  of  the  foreigners;  and  this 
within  certain  limits  is  encouraging.  But  Dr. 
Green  deprecated  the  pride  and  self-importance 
consequent  upon  the  adoption  of  such  habits,  so 
far  as  it  tended  to  destroy  the  usefulness  of  the 
educated  natives  among  their  own  people.  "  I 
hope,"  said  he, "  by  going  into  vernacular  education, 
to  get  some  doctors  who  will  in  native  dress  start 
off  afoot  in  reponse  to  calls,  and  not  demand  a 
horse  and  carriage  to  be  sent  and  a  heavy  fee  also 
in  addition.  This  aping  European  habits  is  very 
well  in  moderation,  but  young  Jaffna  overdoes  it." 
Again  he  said,  "  I  am  passing  through  a  juncture 
which  lies  on  the  higher  side  of  a  promising  future 
of  my  work.  Once  I  succeed  in  bringing  the 
science  of  medicine  into  the  vernacular  by  the 
graduation  of  a  Class  taught  in  it,  I  shall  have, 
D.  v.,  in  notes,  glossaries  and  manuscripts,  the 


2  20  Importance  of  vernacular  work.  [A.  D.  1865. 

basis  on  which  to  conduct  future  Classes  so 
easily  that  I  can  simultaneously  have  Classes  in 
Eno-lisli  and  in  Tamil,  and  thus  be  doubled  in 
one  section  of  my  usefulness." 

Early  in  January,  he  received  a  letter  from  Mr. 
Murdock.  of  Madras,  speaking  of  having  seen  in 
Calcutta  "a  very  handsome  Medical  Book  in 
Hindustani  with  colored  plates,"  of  there  being  "a 
committee  formed  at  Madras  to  attend  to  the 
formine  of  technicals  for  the  introduction  of  the 
Western  Sciences  into  Tamil,"  also  speaking  of 
"  Dr.  Smith,  a  very  pious  man,  head  of  the  Madras 
Medical  College."  According  to  his  intention,  Dr. 
Green  probably  wrote  to  the  Secretary  of  the  com- 
mittee to  see  what  he  could  learn  in  the  way  of 
forming  scientific  terras,  and  to  Dr.  Smith  to  see  if 
he  could  get  any  aid  in  "printing  and  publishing 
Medical  Books."  "In  fact,"  said  he,  "Mr.  Mur- 
dock's  note  is  a  streak  of  light  from  the  west,  but 
my  dependence  is  upon  that  from  the  very  Zenith." 

Within  a  few  weeks,  Dr.  Green  wrote:  "Dr. 
George  Smith,  Principal  of  the  Madras  Medical 
College,  thinks  to  teach  medicine  scientifically  in 
the  vernacular  would  be  a  half-century  retrograde." 
He  also  wrote:  "  Dr.  Paterson,  of  the  Free  Scotch 
Church,  Madras,  is  about  to  open  a  medical  train- 
ing school  to  raise  medical  helpers  for  missions, — 
vernacular.     He  has  a  scheme  to  raise  two  thou- 


Aetat.  42.1  Letter  to  his  father. 


sand    pounds    for    buildings,    etc.;     most  of  it  is 
raised  already  in  Scotland.      I   have  tried  to  put 
myself  in  communication  with   him,  so  that    we 
can  mutually  aid  and  strengthen  each  other." 
Of  the  birth  of  his  second  child  he  thus  wrote: 

My  Dear  Father: 

Here's  another  grandchild  for  you.  I  wish 
I  could  reach  her  over  to  you  that  you  might 
place  your  hand  upon  her  head  and  pronounce 
adoption.  Lacking  this,  she  claims  her  place 
upon  the  Family  tree,  and  wall,  I  hope,  grow,  not 
only  worthy  of  this,  but  of  a  place  also  on  the 
True  Vine,  and  abide  therein  and  brino;  forth 
much  fruit  of  the  Spirit.  .  .  . 

I  hope,  dear  Father,  you  are  comfortable  and 
happy.  I  long  that  you  have  a  well  founded  hope 
of  eternal  bliss  to  cheer  and  sustain.  A  hope 
badly  founded  may  cheer,  but  it  deludes  and  will 
destroy.  .  .  . 

Your  affectionate  son, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

He  wrote  to  his  family  at  Green  Hill: 

March  21,  1865. 

My  Dear  Friends: 

I  think  I  have  almost  unconsciously   for 
years    been    oppressed   with  an  apprehension  of 


222  A  Sabbath  afternoon.  [A.  D.ises. 


changes  in  our  loved  circle.  It  is  a  mistake;  in 
Christ  it  is  our  privilege  to  anticipate  rather  than 
apprehend.  Who  of  us,  with  a  true  worthy  hope 
for  the  hereafter,  would  consent  to  an  immutable 
fixity  of  our  present  condition,  individual  or 
associated  .f*  How  far  better  than  even  the  full 
cup  of  temporal  good  we  quaff,  the  things  eye 
hath  not  seen  nor  ear  heard — prepared  for  those 
who  love  God.  How  thoroughly  we  change  when 
we  pass  from  self  to  Christ.  Thenceforth  we 
pass  on  from  all  we  might  deprecate  to  all  we  can 
desire.  The  night  is  behind,  the  dawn  is  before 
us.  God  not  only  gives  us  in  Christ  many  things 
the  world  knows  not  of,  but  in  those  many  things 
common  to  all  we  enjoy  their  richest  quality 
through  this  relation." 

Dr.  Green  recorded  this  sample  of  his  employ- 
ment of  a  Sunday  afternoon : 

"  I  called  on  the  thousand-cocoanut-breaking 
blacksmith  and  talked  with  him  about  his  diabetes 
of  which  he  is  dying,  and  closed  with  another  oft- 
repeated  offer  of  the  gospel.  Then  went  to  a 
house  where  was  a  group  of  hardened  degraded 
Sivite  women,  with  whom  we  had  a  seemingly 
profitless  talk.  Then  to  a  Palm-root-bed  by 
which  some  women  were  scolding  and  quarrelling 
about  a  three-quarter  penny  piece  which  one  of 
them  had  lost  and  charged  the  other  with  stealing, 
challenging  her  to  go  to  the  temple  and  swear 
she  did  not  take  it.     Then  to  an  educated  man 


Aetat.  42.]  Native  discussions.  223 


who  was  building  his  house,  asking  if  he  approved 
of  a  weekly  rest-day,  and  reminding  him  to  spread 
its  benefits  by  his  example.  Then  to  the  temple 
opposite  where  a  young  Brahmin  was  rather  irri- 
tated and  rude,  closing  up  with  a  promise  to  send 
him  a  Gospel,  which  he  promised  to  read  im- 
partially." 

A  little  rift  in  the  cloud  of  stolidity  which  had 
so  long  hung  over  the  people  is  thus  described: 

"  The  Sivites  in  Vannooponny,  the  native  cen- 
tre of  the  Province,  have  lectures  every  Sunday 
evening  in  support  of  their  system  and  against 
Christianity.  On  the  following  Tuesday  evening 
the  Christians  have  their  lecture.  A  reporter 
tells  what  points  were  taken  up  in  the  Sivite 
meeting,  and  the  Christians  rebut  what  is  said. 
Some  two  hundred  or  three  hundred  attend  these 
meetings,  and  the  circumstances  are  very  encour- 
aging. I  hope  and  pray  the  movement  may 
rouse  many  from  apathy,  and  that  many  may  seek 
and  find  the  truth." 

The  work  of  creating  a  scientific  nomenclature 
in  Tamil  was  so  difficult  and  yet  so  extremely 
important  that  Dr.  Green  was  always  glad  to  get 
the  critical  opinions  of  scholars  in  that  language. 
"I  received,"  he  said,  "a  letter  from  Mr.  Tracy,  of 
Madura,  expressing  himself  and  the  best  trans- 
lator of    their    Mission    pleased    with  the   Rules 


2  24  Close  of  the  wai' in  U.  S.  A.  [A.  D.  1865. 

devised  by  Brother  Webb  and  myself  several 
years  ago,  and  somewhat  in  detail  giving  approval 
of  my  procedures  in  the  construction  of  Terms. 
This  is  very  timely,  as  I  hope  soon  to  discuss 
and  determine  about  this  matter  with  Dr.  Paterson 
who  is,  I  trust,  touring  towards  us." 

On  the  subject  of  the  war  in  the  United  States, 
which  then  was  about  being  brought  to  a  close, 
he  wrote: 


Manepy,  May  8,  1865. 

My  Beloved  and  Revered  Father: 

....  I  congratulate  you  on  being  spared 
to  see  the  close  of  a  terrible  war — wicked,  inex- 
cusable, savage  on  the  part  of  the  malcontents. 
May  the  Lord  give  them  repentance  and  a  better 
mind.  I  think  I  see  all  this  wrath  of  man  made 
to  praise  God,  caused  to  subserve  the  advance  of 
that  kingdom  which  is  Liberty,  Peace  and  Love. 
My  dear  Father,  let  us  be  sure,  trying  ourselves 
prayerfully  by  the  word,  that  we  are  in  this  king- 
dom. Then  for  time  or  for  eternity  we  shall  be 
blessed.  .  .  . 

With  much  affection,  your  son, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


Aetat.  42.]  Letter  to  his  sister  Mary.  225 


Saturday,  May  20,  1865.. 

My  Dear  Sister  Mary: 

•  It  is  in  my  heart  to  repay  you  fully  in  kind 
for  your  most  acceptable  communications.  They 
help  me  spiritually  and  I  prize  them  highly.  Our 
highest  employ,  so  far  as  I  know,  seems  to  be 
adoration  of  Immanuel.  In  this  there  appear  to 
be  two  grades — one  for  his  goodness  to  us,  the 
other  for  his  essential  goodness  and  glory.  How 
condescending  to  receive  our  praise,  so  low  and 
feeble  is  it  even  to  our  own  apprehension.  .  .  .' 

The  recent  news  from  our  native  Land  stirs 
one's  thanksgiving.  I  desire  not  to  be  elated  by 
it,  nor  to  be  depressed  by  any  reverse.  The  world- 
ling resting  on  Earth's  fluctuations  naturally 
tosses  up  and  down.  One  can  be  no  steadier 
than  his  foundation.  The  child  of  God  mounts 
higher  into  the  serene  above  all  human  perturba- 
tions. .  .  . 

I  feel  I  am  much  favored  as  to  my  health.  I 
am  pressing  on  an  amount  of  work  which  I  did 
not  imagine  I  should  do  on  my  return.  But  the 
Lord  is  very  gracious,  and  has  arranged  things  so 
that  I  am  saved  all  needless  harassment,  and 
gives  strength  according  to  the  task  imposed.  I 
wish  self  eliminated,  and  Christ  incorporated  in 
all  I  do.  Then  it  will  be  to  purpose,  and  He  will 
establish  the  work  of  my  hands  upon  me.  .  .  . 

Very  affectionately  your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


2  26  Letter  from  Dr.  Joh7i  Murdoch.         [A.  D.  1865. 

The  following  letter  from  John  Murdock, 
LL.D.,  agent  of  the  Christian  Vernacular  Edu- 
cation Society,  shows  his  sympathy  with  Dr. 
Green's  views  of  Medical  Education. 

NELLORE,y?/72^  24,    1 865. 

My  Dear  Dr.  Green: 

....  I  have  your  paper  on  the  rendering  of 
scientific  terms,  and  the  other  lists,  etc.  It  will 
give  me  much  pleasure  to  discuss  the  various 
points  with  the  parties  named,  and  let  you  know 
their  opinions.  Some  weeks  must  elapse  before 
I  can  reach  Madras  and  see  Dr.  Paterson  and 
Mr.  Percival,  but  you  may  be  assured  that  the 
matter  will  not  be  forgotten. 

So  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  judge  from  my 
brief  visit,  (to  Jaffna)  my  most  sanguine  hopes 
with  regard  to  native  Medical  education  promise 
to  be  realized.  I  have  been  greatly  encouraged 
by  what  I  have  seen.  I  rejoice  at  it  especially 
because  it  leads  me  to  hope  that  eventually  on  the 
continent  similar  results  may  be  secured.  .  .  . 

With  kindest  regards  to  Mrs.  Green, 

Yours  affectionately, 

J.  Murdock. 

Obviously  the  coining  of  Scientific  terms  must 
precede  translation.     "  The  plan  is,  D.  V.,"  wrote 


Aetat.  42.]      Medical  Missionaries  among  the  Tamils.  227 

Dr.  Green,  "to  give  1864 — 1867  to  Class  and 
Terms-making;  then  1867 — 1870  to  Class  and 
book-making.  After  securing  a  set  of  vernacular 
Medical  Text-books,  I  wish  to  publish  a  number 
of  popular  sanitarv  Tracts. 

"In  Tamildom,"  continued  he,  "are  six  Protest- 
ant Medical  Missionaries  ;  viz.,  Lowe  of  Travan- 
core,  Lord  and  Chester  of  Madura,  Scudder  (Silas) 
of  Arcot,  Paterson  of  Madras,  Green  of  Jaffna,  the 
last  the  senior  of  all  (except  perhaps  Dr.  Lord). 
My  old  friend  John  Murdock,  Esq.,  LL.  D.,  Agent 
of  the  Christian  Vernacular  Education  Society, 
travels  about  India  from  Lahore  to  Ceylon,  Mad- 
ras, Calcutta,  Bombay.  He  is  a  shrewd  investiga- 
tor, a  close  observer,  a  laborious,  devoted,  simple- 
hearted,  cheerful  Christian.  I  value  his  opinion 
on  medico-missionary  matters  in  Jaffna.  Members 
from  the  three  missions  in  the  Province  met  him 
at  Nellore,  Jaffna.  We  canvassed  the  question  of 
Tamil  style:  concluded  there  had  been  a  hue  and 
cry  unwarranted  by  facts,  and  that  good  Jaffna 
Tamil  and  good  coast  Tamil  were  identical,  and 
that  books  could  be  spread  from  there  here  and 
from  here  there  as  might  be  desired.  His  Society 
occupies  an  important  place  as  a  link  between 
different  Mission  bodies.  I  hope  he  will  unite 
the  six  Medical  Missionaries  to  act  in  concert,  and 
so  we  may  achieve  the  more." 


Text  books  in  the  vernacular.         [A.  D.  1865. 

From   Dr.  Murdock. 

Madras, y?/'/K  31,  1865. 


My  Dear  Dr.  Green  : 

....  I  have  showed  the  list  of  books,  and 
rules  for  translating  technical  terms.  Messrs.  Lord 
and  Lowe  took  copies  of  the  latter.  Mr.  Chester 
seemed  to  think  that,  as  changes  are  taking  place 
so  rapidly  in  medical  science,  students  must  know 
English  to  keep  up  with  the  times,  vernacular 
books  soon  becoming  obsolete.  I  think  he  exag- 
gerates the  progress.  However,  /should  feel  well 
satisfied  if  the  native  doctors  in  India  were  only 
quarter  of  a  century  behind  Europe  and  Amer- 
ica, .  .  . 

Altliough  a  few  Europeans  who  do  not  know 
Tamil  may  throw  cold  water  on  your  plan  of  get- 
ting out  a  series  of  text-books,  I  hope  you  will 
persevere.  I  am  persuaded  that  in  time  the  people 
will  appreciate  them.  .  .   . 

If  spared  to  meet  Dr.  Paterson,  I  shall  be  able 
to  encourage  him  by  an  account  of  what  I  saw  in 
Jaffna.  .  .  . 


Yours  affectionately, 

J.  Murdock. 


Aetat.  42,]  Letter  from  Dr.  Lowe.  229 

From   Dr.   Lowe. 

Nagoop,  near  Nagercoil,  South  Travancore, 

Aug.  23,    1865. 

My  Dear  Dr.  Green: 

.  .  .  Though  we  are  not  personally  known 
to  each  other,  both  before  I  left  England  and 
since,  I  have  heard  a  good  deal  about  you  and 
your  interesting  work,  and  feel  assured  that  it 
would  be  a  great  advantage  to  me,  in  carrying  on 
my  work,  to  enjoy  the  benefit  of  your  experience 
and  advice.  ...  I  rejoice  in  your  success,  and 
trust  that  ere  long,  as  the  result  of  your  efforts, 
the  Senior  Medical  Class  in  Trevandrum  and  my 
Class  in  connection  with  our  Medical  MissiDu 
here  will  be  provided  with  good  practical  Text- 
books in  the  Vernacular.  If  we  are  to  train 
Natives  to  be  efficient  assistants  and  fellow-laborers 
in  the  medical  department  of  Mission  work,  the 
publication  of  such  works.  ...  is  of  such  import- 
ance that,  if  necessary.  I  should  consider  that 
what  funds  we  could  spare  (and  1  am  thankful  to 
say  our  Medical  Mission  is  very  liberally  support- 
ed) would  be  well  spent  in  aiding  you.  .  .  .  Friends 
in  Scotland  are  deeply  interested  in  this  experi- 
ment, and  have  helped  me  much.  .  .  . 

The  Medical  Missionary  Circular,  published 
monthly  by  the  Hon.  Mrs.  MacKenzie,  of  Edin- 
burgh,  I  wrote  to  be  sent  to  you  from  the  com- 

23 


230  Offer  of  assistance.  [A.  D.  1865. 

mencement  and  to  continue    regularly.      I   hope 
you  will  receive  them.  .  .  . 

Yours  very  sincerely, 

John  Lowe. 

From  Dr.  Lowe. 

Negoor  near  Nagercoil,  Sept.  16,  1865. 

My  Dear  Dr.  Green: 

I  received  your  kind  welcome  letter  of 
September  ist.  ...  I  shall  most  gladly  render 
assistance  and  co-operate  with  you  in  the  literary 
work  in  which  you  are  engaged,  and  having  as 
my  colleague  at  this  station  one  who  has  for 
many  years  been  engaged  in  such  work,  and.  .  .  . 
had  fully  six  years  training  in  a  Chemists  shop 
and  received  a  partial  medical  education, ....  I 
think,  in  the  way  of  revising  your  manuscripts 
and  to  some  extent  testing  their  adaptation,  Mr. 
Baylis  and  I  may  be  able  to  render  some  help.  I 
think  your  idea  of  first  using  the  manuscript  with 
a  Class  or  two  a  very  good  one.  In  no  way  would 
there  be  more  likelihood  of  securing  a  thorough 
and  satisfactory  revision  before  going  to  press.  .  .  . 
If  the  manuscripts  were  gone  over  systematically, 
I  don't  think  the  delay  would  be  great.  At  inter- 
vals of  a  month  or  six  weeks,  the  sections  we  have 
gone  over  should  be  forwarded  to  you  with  our 
corrections,    alterations    or   suggestions  for  your 


Aetat.  42.]         Transition  frotn  English  to  Tamil.  231 


consideration  and  decision.  In  this  way,  ...  by 
the  time  we  had  finished  it,  you  could  have  it 
ready,  or  nearly  so,  for  the  press. — I  shall  be  most 
happy  to  receive  a  copy  of  your  manuscript  of 
Druitt's  Surgery  as  soon  as  you  can  send  it;  I 
shall  feel  mxuch  obliged  too  for  a  copy  of  your  set 
of  Terms  for  Anatomy. — I  am  glad  to  learn  that, 
so  far  as  funds  are  concerned,  you  are  so  verv 
well  off.  .  .  . 

In  cases  of  suspected  poisoning  .  .  .  our  Judges 
in  Criminal  Courts  know  nothing  whatever  about 
Medical  Jurisprudence,  and  justice  js  often  frus- 
trated throuo-h  such  ignorance.  The  Dewan  sus^- 
gested  the  preparation  of  a  simple  treatise  on  the 
subject,  suited  to  the  capacity  of  men  who  had 
not  received  a  medical  education.  .  .  . 

Yours  very  sincerely, 

John  Lowe. 

"In  chanorinor  from  Ens^lish  to  vernacular  Med- 
ical  Instruction,"  wrote  Dr.  Green,  "the  course 
seems  to  be  to  select  intelligent  young  men  and 
train  them  by  the  book  and  by  actual  practice. 
The  former  is  being  attempted  by  putting  the 
best  Text  Book  in  each  branch  into  the  hands  of 
a  Teacher,  and  furnishing  him  with  equivalents 
for  all  the  Technicals,  either  selecting  or  con- 
structing these  as  •  the  case  may  require.  The 
Teacher   precedes    the    Class    in    writing   out    a 


232  Contemplated  series.  [A.  D.  1865. 


translation  which  he  communicates  in  daily 
dictations  to  the  Class,  who  write  it  and  the  next 
day  pass  it  in  review  at  an  examination.  The 
Teacher  is  enjoined  to  avoid  as  far  as  possible 
the  use  of  Technicals,  and  to  give  the  instruction 
in  common  language. — The  latter  is  being  done 
by  showing  occasional  cases  in  the  Dispensary  at 
the  Station,  and  by  a  weekly  Clinique  at  the 
Hospital  in  Town. 

"  It  is  contemplated  to  develop  these  Teachers' 
Translations  into  books  to  be  printed,  and  to 
append  to  each  book  its  Glossary,  which  will  be 
an  expansion  of  the  Vocabulary  used  by  the 
Teacher  in  his  instruction  of  the  Class. 

"The  series  of  Books  proposed  is  to  comprise 
a  volume  each  on  Anatomy,  Chemistry,  Physiolo- 
gy, Materia  Medica,  Practice  of  Medicine,  Sur- 
gery, Obstetrics,  and  Medical  Jurisprudence.  To 
these  it  is  desirable  to  add  eventually  a  volume 
each  on  Diseases  of  Children,  Diseases  of  Women, 
Pharmacy  and  Botany. 

"The  present  state  of  this  work  may  be  thus 
described:  A  volume  on  Obstetrics  was  printed 
in  1857.  A  Translation  of  Druitt's  Surgery,  with 
additions  from  Erichsen  and  experience,  is  about 
completed  by  Dr.  Danforth  of  the  Friend-in-Need 
Society's  Hospital. 

"Vocabularies  for  Natural   Philosophy,  Chem- 


Aetat.  42.]  Letter  to  his  family.  233 

istry,  Anatomy,  Physiology  and  Materia  Medica 
have  been  prepared,  that  for  Anatomy  only,  as 
yet,  in  both  its  direct  and  reverse  forms  (i.  e. 
Eno-lish  and  Tamil,  and  in  Tamil  and  Eno-lish 
forms).  All  should*  be  thus  completed  in  both 
forms.  Ultimately  all  the  Glossaries  should  be 
brought  into  one  Tamil-English  Medical  Diction- 
ary. 

On    the    day    of   the    Family    Anniversary    at 
Green  Hill  he  wrote: 

Manepy,  Jaffna,  Ceylon,  Sat.,  16  Sept.,  1865. 

My  Dear  Father: 

My  Dear  Sisters  Lucy,  Mary,  Julia,  and  Lydia: 
My  Dear  Brothers  William,  John,  Andrew, 
Oliver  and  Martin: 

With  gratitude  to  our  Common  Father, 
with  undiminished  affection  for  you  each,  with 
intense  interest  in  your  weal  severally,  I  would, 
on  this  our  Family  Anniversary,  address  you  a 
few  words  of  greeting.  It  is  four  years  since 
we  met. 

Goodness  and  Mercy  have  still  followed  us.  I 
would  in  spirit  join  with  you  in  ascription  of 
praise  to  the  Author  of  all  our  blessings,  and 
supplicate,  through  the  prevalent  Mediator,  the 
continuance  of  that  kindness  which  has  hitherto 
been  so  abundant  and  unintermitting. 


234  ^^'^/  overflowing  with  bertefits.  [A.  D.  1865. 

I  consider  it  my  duty  to  report  my  place  and 
occupation,  and  my  condition  this  day  to  you; 
looking  for  an  account  of  your  state,  from  some 
kind  pen  among  you.  I  am  in  comfortable 
health,  am  supplied  with  everything  needed  for 
my  comfort  and  for  the  prosecution  of  my  enter- 
prise, am  very  much  encouraged  in  my  work. 
Circumstances  have  been  kindly  adjusted,  for  my 
working  to  the  most  advantage,  with  ease  and 
comfort,  with  prosperity  and  effect. 

My  domestic  affairs  are  flourishing  and  joyous. 
The  little  ones  are  in  good  health,  are  intelligent 
and  well  inclined.  The  wife  is  quiet,  true,  devot- 
ed, a  Help  in  every  way,  in  my  temporal  and  in 
my  spiritual  estate. 

My  cup  overflows  with  benefits  received,  and 
my  desire  is,  as  I  have  "freely  received,  to  learn 
so  freely  to  give."  I  would  have  my  heart  not 
like  a  cistern,  but  as  a  spring,  constantly  receiving 
and  as  constantly- yielding.  We  are  happy  in  so 
far  as  we  make  others  happy,  and  in  this  Divine 
trait  of  our  being,  we  may  see  the  highest  quality 
with  which  we  are  endowed. 

May  the  Spirit  of  Grace  stir  up  each  of  us  to 
"seek  first  the  Kino-dom  of  God  and  His  rio-ht- 
ousness,"  to  "follow  after  peace  and  holiness,  with- 
out which  we  can  never  see  God." 

With  grateful  recollections,  growing  affection, 
and  sincere  esteem,  I  remain. 

Your  son  and  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


Aetat.  42.]  Death  of  his  fathe?'.  23- 


On  the  25th  of  September  Dr.  Green  learned 
that  his  father  had  died  "in  the  Lord,"  on  the 
27th  of  July,  in  the  eighty-ninth  year  of  his  age. 
The  same  day  he  wrote  a  general  reply  to  his 
sisters  and  brothers. 

Sept.  25,  1865. 

My  Dear  Friends: 

....  When  I  saw  three  letters  for  me, 
and  one  of  them  in  brother  Andrew's  hand,  I 
surmised  some  special  tidings.  I  opened  brother 
Andrew's  letter  first  and  at  once  learned  of  our 
beloved  father's  removal.  After  the  first  burst 
of  grief  is  over,  I  have  much  peace  and  happiness 
in  thinking  of  the  departed.  My  mind  is  much 
occupied  when  at  leisure  in  reviewing  his  history, 
and  in  recounting  the  goodness  of  the  Lord 
shown  to  him,  and  through  him  to  us  all.  I  will 
rest  in  the  hope  that  he  has  passed  into  glory.  I 
believe  he  is  happy,  and  "washed  in  the  blood  of 
the  Lamb."  I  think  "  Our  Father,"  overruled  his 
Universalist  entanglement  to  keep  us  stirred  up 
about  his  salvation,  to  constrain  us  to  importu- 
nate and  long  continued  prayer.  I  believe  God 
has  heard  prayer,  and  that  our  kind,  excellent, 
lovable  father  is  among  the  redeemed  and  is  glo- 
rified. I  feel  deeply  the  kindness  of  the  Lord  in 
lenght^ning  out  his  life  so  long,  in  giving  him  at 
last  but  brief  suffering,  in  affording  many  amelio- 
rations of  that  suffering  and  our  grief.    I  am  glad 


i;^6  The  last  of  a  generation.  [A.  D.  1865. 


that  more  than  half  his  large  family  were  per- 
mitted to  speak  with  him  and  to  stand  by  him  in 
the  closing  scene.  "The  Lord  gave,  the  Lord 
hath  taken  away;  blessed  be  the  name  of  the 
Lord."  I  feel  his  withdrawal  markedly.  The 
head  of  the  list  in  my  daily  intercessions  has  gone. 
I  kissed  the  two  bairns,  and  spoke  to  them, 
though  not  understood,  of  their  grandfather.  I 
fondly  hope  to  teach  them  .to  cherish  his  memory, 
to  love  their  father's  father  for  his  own  sake. 

I  took  my  large  Bible,  and  with  Margaret 
looked  at  the  only  unfilled  space  in  grandfather's 
flock;  I  filled  in  the  date  and  place,  and  the 
record  of  that  whole  large  family  is  ended.  Be- 
tween us  and  the  grave  now  stands  no  antecedent 
generation.  We  are  advanced  to  the  front.  "The 
graves  are  ready  for  us."  May  we  be  ready  for 
them  and  the  bliss  beyond 

I  feel  very  deeply  your  call  of  affection,  very 
gratefully  your  offers  so  liberal.  I  thank  my 
Heavenly  Father  for  your  love  so  enduring,  so 
strong.  Could  I  see  it  duty,  I  would  with  de- 
light respond  by  a  prompt  return.  But  I  think 
my  health  is  every  whit  as  good  as  when  I  landed 
three  years  ago;  and  Margaret's  health  is  also  as 
good  as  when  she  left  America,  and  that  of  both 
the  darlings  is  good. 

As  to  our  enterprise,  all  is  prospering  up  to  our 
highest  expectations,  and  the  programme  that 
has  naturally  formed,  and  which  invites  our  con- 
tinued and  best  energies,  cannot  be  completed 
without  a  somewhat  protracted  stay  yet.  Left 
prematurely,  what  seems  so  promising  would  go 


Aetat.  42.]  Planning  fo7-  nine  years  of  work.  237 


to  wreck.  Any  abrupt  change  would  appear  dis- 
astrous. The  Lord  seems  just  to  be  bringing  to 
our  aid  Doctors  Lowe  and  Paterson.  They  are 
juniors  to  me  in  this  Medico-Missionary  Vernac- 
ular Educational  work.  I  may  in  all  humility 
perhaps  say  with  Nehemiah,  "Should  such  a  man 
as  I  flee.r*" 

If  the  Lord  permit  us  to  carry  out  our  original 
plan,  we  have  accomplished  one-fourth  of  our 
stay;  nine  years  will  soon  roll  away,  and  then 
perhaps,  with  our  work  done  fully  and  well,  we 
may  seek  your  presence  and  thenceforth  abide 
with  you,  with  no  misgivings  to  disturb  us,  no 
far  off  call  unheeded  pursuing  us. 

Should  the  Lord  allow  our  health  to  fail,  we 
should  see  the  way  toward  you  open,  and  your 
most  attractive  beckoning  would  wing  us  to  your 
society  again.  We  speak  this  prayerfully.  We 
yearn  to  dwell  with  you;  but  we  cannot,  unless 
God-bidden,  withdraw  our  family  tithe  from  the 
Foreign  Missionary  work. 

Margaret  joins  me  heartily  in  every  expression 
of  sympathy  with  you  in  our  sorrow,  and  in  much 
love  to  you  each  and  all. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

To  his  sister  he  wrote:    - 

Manepy,  Sept.  27,  1865. 

My  Dear  Sister  Mary: 

I   received  your  sorrowing    letter  on    the 
25th.     Our  dear  loved  father  is  gone.     But  I  can 


238  Need  oj  remaining.  |A.  D.  1865. 


but  hope  to  the  happiness  of  heaven.  He  knew 
salvation's  pathway  well.  He  has  long  prayed„ 
He  fully  confessed  his  sin.  He  avouched  Jesus 
and  Him  only  to  be  his  Saviour.  God  can  call 
effectually  at  any  hour,  and  the  Holy  Spirit's 
diversity  of  operation  is  as  great  as  the  character 
and  the  circumstances  of  the  subjects  of  his 
gracious  influences.  I  rejoice  in  the  Providence 
that  secured  us  the  comfort  of  a  burial  service  by 
one  of  His  own  children.  .  .  . 

What  you  say  about  my  return  affects  me 
strongly,  I  feel  very  grateful  for  the  affection 
that  prompts  the  urgent  counsel  to  go  and  dwell 
with  my  kindred.  I  am  confident  that  were  you 
with  me  for  a  month,  looking  into  our  work,  see- 
ing the.  critical  condition  of  its  various  details, 
you  would  say  remain.  I  apprehend  that  Mr. 
Sanders  may  have  given  too  dark  a  picture  of 
our  health.  I  did  not  come  out  at  all  as  a  strono' 
man.  God  is  very  good  to  me,  and  though  I  am 
favored  to  accomplish  a  good  deal,  it  is  so  arranged 
that  I  manage  to.  go  along  with  comfort,  and  I 
have  so  many  aiding  me  that  I  can  do  still  more 
indirectly,  far  more  than  in  person.  I  see  no  one 
to  whom  to  commit  the  work.  The  week  I  left, 
it  would  mostly  stop,  and  soon  wholly  cease.  I 
shall  keep  in  mind  your  united  fraternal  call,  and 
aim  to  so  hand  over  things  (perhaps  to  Doctors 
Lowe,  Lord,  and  Paterson)  that,  in  case  I  am 
constrained  to  leave  by  ill  health  or  otherwise, 
there  shall  be  the  least  possible  detriment  to  the 
work.  My  work  is  most  encouraging;  it  seems 
expanding  in  its  reach.      Thank  the  Lord  on  my 


Aetat.  42.1  Letter  to  his  sister  Julia,  239 


behalf,  and  pray  that   I   may  be  faithful  and  may 
be  kept  to  my  work  till  it  is  done. 

Much  love  to  Mr.  Knudsen  and  yourself. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Manepy,  Sept  27,  1865. 
My  Dear  Sister  Julia: 

Your  very  sad  letter  speaking  of  dear  fa- 
ther's  departure  came  to  hand  on  the  25th  inst. 
You  and  sister  Lydia  being  habitual  co-occupants 
of  the  Home  with  the  beloved  one,  must  feel  his 
withdrawal  even  more  than  the  others  occasion- 
ally only  at  home.  I  know  you  have  learned  long 
since  he  only  and  effective  Source  of  comfort, 
and  to  Jesus  I  commend  you,  and  may  He  with 
comfort  mingle  what  is  of  more  importance  still — 
His  sanctifying  grace.  By  it  vouchsafed,  we  shall 
each  be  the  better  for  this  affliction. 

What  you  narrate  of  father's  last  expressions 
gives  me  great  comfort  and  hope  that  he  is  with 
Christ  in  paradise.  .  .  . 

How  very  timely  dear  brother  Andrew's  ar- 
rival, to  have  three  days  of  quiet  enjoyment  with 
dear  father  before  the  attack  of  serious  illness. 
I  hope  sister  Mary  was  in  season  to  have  some 
converse  with  the  dear  one  before  he  became  in- 
sensible. ,  .  . 


240  A  filial  relation.  [A.  D.  1865. 


How  constantly  kind  and  indulgent  he  was. 
His  memory  is  very,  very  dear.  How  much  his 
character  mingles  in  and  pervades  ours,  whether 
we  have  warped  or  woven  in  his  excellences. 
Dear  father,  I  hope  I  may  do  as  well  by  your 
grandchildren  entrusted  to  my  charge. 

Believe  me,  dear  sister  Julia,  as  ever» 

Your  affectionate  brother, 


Samuel  F.  Green. 

A  few  days  later  Dr.  Green  made  this  reference 
to  the  peculiar  relation  of  his  brother  Andrew  to 
their  father:  "By  the  roadside  about  one  and  one- 
half  miles  from  us  on  the  way  to  Batticotta,  stands 
a  Banyan.  The  parent  trunk,  bulky  and  decayed, 
has  long  parted  from  the  soil  and  is  lifted  up  hi 
mid  air,  borne  up  by  a  staunch  secondary  stem. 
It  reminds  me  of  the  venerated  sire  and  the  noble 
son  who  so  liberally  and  tenderly  has  cared  for 
him  these  many  years." 


CHAPTER    XV. 


1865-1867:  ^T.  43-45- 


\  FTER  the  many  appeals  made  to  his  father, 
and  the  years  of  daily  intercession  for  his 
self-surrender  to  Christ;  and  after  the  comforting- 
evidences  that  such  surrender  was  finally  made, 
Dr.  Green's  chastening  was  less  grWous  than 
joyous,  and  his  joy  overflowed  to  his  kindred. 
The  lateness  of  the  following  letter  may,  perhaps, 
have  been  owino-  to  want  of  time  to  answer  all 
his  friends  in  season  for  the  last  ocean  mail. 

Manepy,  JVov.  4,  1865. 

My  Dear  Sister  Lydia: 

....  I  feel  heartily  like  joining  you  in 
expressing  thanks  to  our  heavenly  Father  for  all 
his  goodness  to  our  honored  and  beloved  sire, 
especially  for  the  hope  He  has  allowed  us  for  the 
eternity  of  happiness  upon  which  the  loved  parent 
has  entered.  I  miss  the  dear  one  much,  even  at 
this  remove;  how  most  of  all  of  us  must  sister 
Julia  and  you  miss  him.  The  house  for  a  time 
will  seem  desolate,  but  other  influences,  other 
24 


242  Letter  to  Lydia  p.  Green.  [A.  D.  1865. 

forms  and  faces  will  mingle  in  the  scene,  and 
gradually  the  current  of  daily  life  will  flow  g^s 
usual  till  another  is  taken ;  then  a  halt,  a  sigh, 
recurrent  memories  for  a  time,  and  the  passed 
from  earth  will  be  passed  from  mind.  However 
rooted  here,  even  by  the  growth  of  four  score 
years,  how  completely,  how  utterly  is  one  severed 
from  earth  by  death, — no  lingering,  no  gradation, 
but  a  stroke,  a  cut-off  clean  and  final. 

Many  thanks  to  you,  dear  sister,  for  the  full 
report  of  dear  father's  sayings — his  utterances 
concerning  his  soul  and  his  Saviour.  Thanks  for 
carefully  gathering  his  messages  to  us  and  tran- 
scribing them  for  our  perusal.  .  .  , 
.    With  great  affection. 

Your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

By  the  2 2d  of  December,  Dr.  Green  had  sent 
to  Dr.  Lowe,  of  7\-avancore,  four  parcels  of  his 
Manuscript  Surgery,  but  had  yet  to  send  many 
more.  "I  feel  much  interest,"  said  he,  "in  await- 
ing the  result  of  my  Terms  and  Vocabularies — to 
see  how  Medical  Missionaries  to  the  Tamils 
will  receive  them.  If  all  can  agree  to  use  and 
spread  the  same  vocables  I  should  be  encouraged 
and  rejoice." 

As  a  result  of  teachino-  a  Class  in  the  Vernac- 
ular,  the  full  notes  taken  by  each  of  the  eleven 


Aetat.  43.]  Application  for  diploma.  243 

students  were  bound  in  sheep  and  labelled  in  gilt, 
so  that  there  were  now  eleven  volumes  of  Materia 
Medica  in  the  language  and  each  student  had  the 
beginning  of  a  library  of  his  own  make.  Having 
received  from  Madras  thirty  copies  of  the  Tamil 
Lyrics,  he  put  them  in  circulation,  believing  that 
"as  the  sweet  plaintive  tunes  took  the  fancy  of  the 
people,  the  singing  of  these  Christian  songs  far 
and  wide  would  displace,  at  least  to  some  extent, 
the  vile  songrs  which  so  abounded  even  in  the 
mouths  of  children." 

As  Dr.  Danforth,  one  of  Dr.  Green's  early  Ta- 
mil students,  had  completed  his  translation  of  a 
large  work  on  Surgery,  Dr.  Green,  early  in  1866, 
sent  an  application  to  the  College  of  Physicians 
and  Surgeons,  of  New  York,  for  a  diploma  con- 
ferring on  him  the  honorary  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Medicine.  He  wrote  he  did  not  "intend  to  apply 
for  those  unworthy,  nor  for  those  who  would  not 
earn  it  by  doing  a  bona  fide  service  in  the.  cause 
of  Tamilizing  Western  Medicine.  Their  service 
must  be  gratuitous  and  valuable,  and  they  must 
stand  repeated  examinations  at  the  hands  of  edu- 
cated Foreign  Physicians,  and  show  Certificates 
for  their  proficiency  and  ability  aside  from  any  he 
could  give."  One  object  of  the  application  was 
that  the  success  of  it  mio-ht  stimulate  others  to 
engage  with  earnestness  in  the  enterprise  he  was 
prosecuting  for  a  Tamil  Medical  literature. 


2  44  Criticisms  encouraging.  [A.  D.  1866. 

In  February,  Dr.  Green  wrote:  "The  Madura 
Mission  have  voted  Brother  Lord  fifty  pounds  a 
year  for  a  Medical  Class.  He  inclines  to  conduct 
it  in  the  vernacular.  As  I  have  one  and  a  half 
year's  start  in  this  line  I  respond  offering  to  put 
copies  of  all  our  available  Manuscript  at  his  dis- 
posal. Dr.  Lowe  has  sent  five  pages  foolscap  ol 
criticisms  on  the  Manuscript  of  Surgery.  On  the 
whole  this  translation  promises  well.  Dr.  Lowe, 
after  going  over  the  Manuscript  with  his  Class,  is 
to  send  it  on  to  Dr.  Paterson,  of  Madras,  to  scan 
with  his  students;  and  all  the  suggestions  I  hope 
to  have  together,  and  decide,  and  finally  prepare 
for  the  press. — A  young  man  lies  here  with  his 
left  arm  mortified  to  the  shoulder  in  consequence 
of  maltreatment, — a  proof  of  the  need  of  Medical 
teachino-  here." 

Dr.  Lord  wrote  in  March:  "Your  long  letter, 
with  curriculum  and  suggestions  as  to  Medical 
Class,  I  prize  more  than  I  can  tell,  and  it  decides 
to  drive  the  Class  in  Tamil  only.  .  .  .  The  Vo- 
cabularies would  be  almost  a  necessity,  as  vou 
have  so  far  the  start,  that  I  think  your  Terms, 
etc.,  must  take  the  lead  in  Tamil  works."  Dr. 
Green  was  much  gratified  at  this,  and  hoped  for 
another  ally  in  his  enterprise  in  Dr.  Lord. 

In  April  Dr.  Green  received  Mr.  Murdock's 
Classified  Catalogue  of  Tamil  Printed  Books,  with 


Aetat.  43.J  Hard  at  work.  245 

iiitrodtLctory  Notices.  Dr.  Green  was  pleased  to 
be  able  to  write:  "  I  see  he  gives  in  it,  the  set  of 
rules  devised  b}'  Mr.  Webb  and  myself  for  the 
production  of  Terms  for  bringing  Western 
Sciences  into  Tamil." 

To  keep  his  Classes  advancing",  to  forestall 
changes  of  teachers,  and  to  supply  his  associates 
in  Southern  India  with  Manuscript  for  use  with 
their  Classes,  kept  Dr.  Green  at  work  to  about 
the  utmost  of  his  streno-th.  He  found  it  neces- 
sary  to  engage  four  persons  in  copying,  besides 
employing  a  munshi,  a  Sanskrit  munshi  twice  a 
week,  and  two  teachers  who  also  translated  and 
wrote  out  their  work. 


Manepy,_/^/72^  6,  1866. 


My  Dear  Sister  Mary 


....  The  "  Dictation  of  Boards"  may  ham- 
per somewhat  in  some  particulars.  But  a  respon- 
sible agency  to  receive  and  distribute  the  "alms 
of  the  people"  is  most  needful.  It  happens  some- 
times that  the  most  excellent  men  are  the  worst 
pecuniary  managers.  "The  Cause"  is,  in  its  ma- 
chinery, no  exception  to  the  old  adage,  "  Money 
makes  the  mare  go;"  and  some  kind-hearted  yield- 
ing men  would  allow  the  treasury  of  this  or  that 
Mission  to  become  such  a  resort  for  pretenders, 
paupers,  etc,  that  "the  mare"  would  surely  go  to 


246  Graduates  among  iJie  Kit /is.  [A.  D.  1866. 


the  bottom.  We  (praise  God  for  the  gift  of  econ- 
omy) Hve  comfortably,  give  our  tithe — which  of 
all  our  outgoes  is  the  sweetest — and  at  least  keep 
square,  if  not  forehanded.  .  .  . 

Death  is  but  an  incident  in  our  way  Home. 
"  The  hour  we  first  believed,"  it  was  entered  on 
the  list  of  those  "all  things  ours,"  and  is  counted 
"precious  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord."  Shall,  we  be 
averse  from  what  is  the  Bearer  to  all  we  can  hope 
for  and  more  than  we  can  conceive.'^ 


Affectionately  your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


On  the  public  works  in  Ceylon  fi'om  three  hun- 
dred to  five  hundred  Kulis  (laborers)  were  em- 
ployed in  a  Division,  and  as  the  Divisions  were 
widely  scattered  a  physician  was  necessary  for 
each  one.  The  Principal  Civil  Medical  officer. 
Dr.  Charsley,  of  Colombo,  having  asked  and 
received  of  Dr.  Green  several  of  his  graduates, 
thanked  him  "very  sincerely  for  the  material  aid 
afforded  in  obtaining  the  services  of  the  several 
young  men,"  and  testified  concerning  them:  "I 
am  pleased  with  the  appearance  of  them  all, 
particularly  Mr.  Mclntyre  (a  Tamil)  whom  you 
last  sent  me." 


Aetat.  43.]  Blind  infatuation.  247 


To  His  Sisters  and  Brothers. 

MANEPY,y?/7/^  18,  1866. 

....  I  am  impressed  by  glimpses  of  the 
rush  for  gain  and  fame  in  America,  as  elsewhere, 
in  fact  everywhere.  It  seems  such  blind  infatua- 
tion to  chase  butterflies  on  the  run  towards  the 
precipice.  So  foolish  to  exclude  or  omit  from  our 
plans  that  to  which  we  are  going  and  in  which  we 
must  be  forever,  and  only  be  concerned  about 
that /rem  which  or  through  which  we  are  passing. 
May  the  Lord  open  our  eyes  to  see  aright,  to  scan 
wisely.  Without  a  right  hope  in  Christ,  what  is 
the  princely  manor,  the  social  exaltation.?  The 
merest  vanity — the  merest  nothing.  Nolens volens 
we  cannot  stay,  we  are  ever  on  the  move  to  the 
Judgment.  Our  plans  must  take  the  wider  sweep 
and  include  that  also,  or  we  shall  awake  to  remorse 
and  cry  out  upon  ourselves  as  self-befooled. 

July  24. —  ....  A  man  of  wealth,  apparently, 
came  to  the  Hospital,  being  twenty-one  days  from 
Trincomalee,  expressly  to  have  me  see  his  grand- 
son, the  only  boy  progeny  among  his  grandchil- 
dren. The  lad  had  a  decayed  front  tooth  of  the 
first  set;  the  fang  of  it  pricked  through  the  gum 
and  gouged  the  lip.  A  momentary  touch  of  the 
forceps  set  all  right,  and  the  party  was  informed 
they  could  at  once  go  home  again.  A  Yankee 
would  at  once  have  applied  nippers  at  home  and 
saved  twenty  to  thirty  days  time  and  travel.  .  .  . 

I  never  expect  to  repay  you  adequately  at  all, 
and  so  take  refuge  in  a  sort  of  bankrupt  act  for 


Letter  to  his  sisters  and  l)rothers.  I  A.  D.  1866 


the  benefit  of  favored  but  hopeless    correspond- 
ents.— 

Samuel  F,  Green. 

On  a  recurrence  of  the  Family  Anniversary 
he  wrote: 

Manepy,  Jaffna,  Ceylon,  i6  September,  1866. 

My  Dear  Sisters  Lucy,  Mary,  Julia,  and  Lydia, 

AND  My  Dear  Brothers  William,  John, 

Andrew,  Oliver  and  Martin: 

Allow  me  in  due  form  and  with  the  utmost 
cordiality  to  salute  you  on  this  fifth  recurrence  of 
our  anniversary.  I  would  join  you  in  praising 
Our  Father  in  Heaven  for  all  His  goodness  to  us 
severally  and  collectively.  May  that  goodness 
constrain  us  each  to  a  grateful  devotion  of  our  all 
to  His  service  and  may  he  keep  us  faithful,  "en- 
during to  the  end." 

J  report  myself  and  my  dear  ones  three,  well  and 
prospering.  Exemption  from  distress,  a  full  sup- 
ply for  every  need,  encouragement  in  our  enter- 
prise, constitute  the  leading  marks  of  our  state. 
An  intense  desire  to  meet  you  again  ere  long  in 
our  own  land,  and- still  stronger  in  that  land  where 
we  shall  never  part,  rules  my  breast. 

With  fervent  affection. 

Your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


Aetat.  44.]  Change  to  the  vernacular.  249 


The  remaining  work  of  this  missionary  year 
was  so  similar  to  what  has  been  described  as  not 
to  need  special  mention.  In  his  Report  for  the 
ist  of  October  he  said: 

"  The  business  is  now  wholly  in  the  Tamil 
language;  the  names  of  medicines  and  diseases, 
the  Register  and  Books  of  account,  the  Prescrip- 
tions and  Labels  having  been  brought  into  the 
vernacular.  The  chano-e  has  been  effected  with 
some  endeavor;  but  its  aid  in  the  practical  train- 
ing of  future  Classes  in  the  mother  tono-ue  of 
the  land  will  abundantly  reward  this. — The  pre- 
sent Dispenser  is  a  Christian  ....  and  is  in- 
structed to  read  to  the  patients  assembled  a  syn- 
opsis of  the  Christian  religion,  followed  by  the 
reading  and  explanation  of  a  Scripture  portion, 
according  to  a  table  of  Bible  selections  for  every 
day  in  the  month.  .  .  . — The  printing  of  the 
Surgery  is  already  commenced." 

Definiteness  of  plan,  and  system  in  pursuing  it, 
enabled  Dr.  Green  to  calculate  his  progress  with 
approximate  accuracy,  to  forecast  special  needs 
and  provide  for  them  in  season.  After  Druitt's 
Surgery  should  be  issued,  Gray's  Anatomy  would 
be  put  to  press.  He  wrote  to  Messrs.  Lea  and 
Blanchard  of  Philadelphia,  acknowledging  their 
liberality  in  respect  to  cuts  for  the  Surgery,  and 
soliciting  their  further  aid  in  respect  to  cuts  for 


^5° 


A^Zi'essive  OJi  Hinduism.  [A.  D.  1866. 


the  Anatomy.  He  wrote  his  brother  missionary, 
Mr.  Sanders,  then  in  the  United  States,  asking 
his  influence  to  the  same  end.  He  sent  his 
request  to  the  Prudential  Commit'tee  to  appropri- 
ate so  much  of  his  own  salary  from  the  Friend-in- 
Need  Society  as  might  be  requisite  for  the  pur- 
chase of  the  cuts  in  Dr.  Smith's  Anatomical 
Atlas,  published  by  Messrs.  Lea  and  Blanchard, 
enforcino-  it  with  these  considerations : 

o 

"  I  reo^ard  a  volume  of  this  kind  as  most 
distinctively  aggressive  on  Hinduism.  There  is 
a  radical  antasfonism  between  the  truths  it  will 
spread  and  the  prevalent  ideas  here  concerning 
the  body.  It  should  be  shown  that  the  body  is 
the  Lord's  wondrous  mechanism,  and  not  the 
lodgement  of  divers  gods,  nor  its  various  parts 
controlled  by  the  constellations.  With  plenty  and 
good  illustrations  the  book  will  be  doubly  useful. 
It  will  be  as  different  from  a  non-illustrated  vol- 
ume as  daylight  from  dawn.  These  will  advance 
one  item  at  least  of  missionary  work  far  towards 
that  desired  state  in  which  'the  light  of  the  sun 
shall  be  as  the  light  of  seven  days.'  " 

In  due  time  the  Doctor  learned  that  the  Pru- 
dential Committee  promptly  granted  his  request 
to  the  extent  of  four  hundred  dollars. 

In  November  he  wrote  in  regard  to  his  health: 
"  I  spat  a  few  drops  of  blood.     I  feel  the  ail  about 


Aetat .  44.  ]  Health .  251 

the  larynx  progressing  slowly.  I  had  it  ten  years 
ago  more  or  less.  Now,  sometimes  in  reading 
aloud,  a  little  pledget  of  pus  rises  and  suddenly 
clogs  the  vocal  cords;  no  tickling  or  pain.  The 
sentence  of  death  in  "our  members"  is  written  for 
us  each,  yet  cannot  we  tell  its  precise  style  though 
we  know  its  sum." 

To  his  eldest  sister  he  wrote: 

Manepy,  Dec.  8,  1866. 

My  Dear  Sister  Lucy: 

....  I  imagine  you  engrossed  in  School 
cares  again  and  am  glad  to  learn  that  a  prosper- 
ous opening  has  been  vouchsafed.  How  much 
more  elevated  your  lot  than  that  of  a  mere 
luxurious  fashionable  Time  Waster.  Many  will 
rise  up  and  call  you  blessed.  ...  I  feel  much 
interested  in  the  question  of  the  School — its 
continuance,  its  change  of  situation,  etc.  As  the 
indications  rise  I  shall,  I  trust,  learn  how  3^ou  are 
guided  and  on  what  determine.  Was  it  in  1840 
that  the  present  term  began  ?  A  long  career. 
Prosperous  pecuniarily,  and  successful  in  respects 
far  higher  than  worldly  good.  ... 

Counting  in  my  five  years  in  America,  I  shall 
next  year  have  been  twenty  years  a  missionary: — 
one  of  the  veterans.  I  never  saw  my  enterprise 
more  hopeful.  I  feel  I  have  already  been  permit- 
ted, since  return,  to  accomplish  enough  to  repay 


252  Letter  to  Dr.  J.P.Green.  [A.  D.  1866. 

the  out  and  return  voyage  and  the  years  of  with- 
drawal from  those  dear  as  life.  All  praise  to  the 
Saviour. 

Affectionately,  your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

To  his  brother  in  South  America  he  wrote: 

December  17,  1866. 

My  Dear  Brother  John: 

My  wife  and  my  two  daughters  and  my- 
self are  all  well  although  the  season  is  very  sickly 
— much  cholera  throughout  the  district.  I  was 
reading  yesterday  m  the  Report  of  the  British 
and  Foreign  Bible  Society  for  1865,  among  other 
lands,  about  Chili.  I  felt  a  hope  and  wish  that 
my  dear  brother  there  would  do  all  he  could  by 
tongue  and  pen  and  prayer  to  encourage  Bible 
distribution  in  that  country.  If  an  agent  or  col- 
porteur should  visit  your  immediate  locality,  do 
cordially  espouse  his  endeavors  and  express  all 
you  can  in  words  and  acts  to  aid  and  comfort  a 
spreader  of  God's  word. 

I  hear  of  you  occasionally  through  the  sisters, 
I  think  of  you  daily.  I  hope  I  enjoy  alike  frequent 
thought  with  you.  Let  our  remembrance  be  ever 
with  "the  prayer  of  faith."     How  do  you  get  along 


Aetat.  44.]  Cholera.  253 


pecuniarily?  How  as  to  health?  How  as  to  spir- 
ituals? Do  you  meet  encouragement  in  the 
"fight  of  faith?"  I  find  the  worst  adversary  of 
my  own  heart  to  be  impatience,  irritability.  I 
pray  against  it  and  try  against  it,  but  still  it 
occasionally  floors  me.     Let  us  not  be  discouraged 


in  the  struggle,  for  the  Saviour  will  bring  us  off 
conquerors  and  more  than  conquerors  if  we  seek 
and  rely  on  His  strength  and  fight  it  out  to  the 
end. 

With   very  much  love   from    us    all    and    best 
wishes  for  your  prosperity,  I  am  as  ever 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


In  January  occurred  a  great  native  holiday 
when  "heathenism  was  out  in  gala  style"  not- 
withstanding the  raging  of  the  pestilence.  A 
thousand  handbills  were  printed  for  the  Govern- 
ment Agent  "to  issue  with  cholera  medicine;"  and 
a  thousand  more,  in  a  modified  form,  were  printed 
for  the  American  Mission.  The  exigency  was 
such  that  Dr.  Green  found  it  necessary  to  take 
these  methods  to  meet  it.  He  was  of  course  not 
alone  in  this  responsibility,  other  Foreign  physi- 
cians co-operating  in  their  own  circuits.  He 
sent  his  tract  on  Cholera  to  Dr.  Chester,  of 
25 


254  Letter  to  Lucy  M.  Green.  [A.  D.  1867. 

Dindigul,  who  had  it  translated,  and  proposed   to 
his  Mission  the  printing  of  two  thousand  copies. 

The  demands  for  Dr.  Green's  professional  ser- 
vices, for  counsel  and  direction  to  his  assistants 
and  students,  necessarily  interfered  with  his  liter- 
ary enterprise;  yet  in  March  he  had  four  different 
works  in  the  hands  of  his  graduates  for  transla- 
tion. 


Manepy,  y^/r^y  9,  1867. 

My  Dear  Sister  Lucy: 

....  I  often  thin-k  of  the  old  Hill  clock* 
that  has  sung  out  the  hours  for  three  generations 
and  is  speaking  now  to  the  fourth.  After  the 
third  and  fourth  are  all  gone  it  may  still  ting, 
ting  to  some  stranger,  who  will  regard  it  chiefly 
as  an  antique. 

The  somerset  in  the  English  Papers  was  one 
of  the  most  remarkable  phenomena  I  ever  beheld 
in  periodical  literature.  I  am  thankful  to  hope 
the  clouds  that  threatened  a  re-opening  of  civil 
war  lift  from  our  land.  .  .  . 

May  the  Lord  guide  in  all  your  plans  for  your 
pfreat  establishment.  If  Providence  so  favors,  it 
would  seem  better  to  transplant  the  tree,  as  Mrs. 
Smith  did,  rather  than  fell  it.  .  .  . 

I  still  regret,  however,  that  eyes  and  time  and 
strength  are  so  limited  that   whatever  is  o-iven  to 


Aetat.  44.]  Manusc7'ipt.  255 

correspondence  is  just  so  much  taken  from  my 
stent. 

With  much  affection  I  remain, 

Your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


From  one  of  his  translators  Dr.  Green  received 
a  manuscript  of  nearly  two  thousand  pages  in 
June,  when  he  was  also  through  with  the  work 
which  had  occupied  him  a  good  deal  for  three  or 
four  years  on  vocabularies. 

Manepy,  Jaffna, y?//j/  lo,  1867. 

My  Dear  Brother  Andrew: 

....  I  am  glad  to  learn  your  views  on 
the  affairs  of  our  distressed  Land.  Let  us  rejoice 
that  our  punishment  did  not  come  later  and  so 
heavier.  The  Negro  has  had  two  centuries  of 
such  pupilage  as  has  resulted  in  his  degradation. 
Emancipation  gives  at  least  an  opportunity  to  try 
something  else  for  him.  Perhaps  after  two  cen- 
turies we  can  better  tell  whether  servitude  or 
freedom  most  benefit  and  befit  him. 

It  would  be  very  nice  for  brothers  to  dwell  to- 
gether.    I,  as  keenly  as  any  one,  love  home  and 


256  Trust  in  the  promises.  [A.  D.  1867. 


kindred.  But  we  must  be  cosmopolitan  and 
cherish  the  Brotherhood  of  man.  I  hope  the 
work  I  am  engaged  in  will  lessen  the  sufferings 
of  thousands  now  and  in  generations  to  come. 
But  higher  than  this  it  rises  in  my  hopes,  and 
will  result  in  their  liberation  from  superstition. 
'  Hinduism  deprives  of  much  that  a  Christian 
people  enjoy,  and  imposes  sufferings  a  Christian 
people  never  experience. 

It  is  a  very  great  comfort  to  me  to  feel  that 
Christ  overrules  our  Land  and  will  make  all  that 
transpires  result  in  good.  While  we  may  do  all 
we  can  to  oppose  the  rush  of  villainy,  we  should 
never  be  disheartened,  but  calmly  rest  all  on 
Him 

I  argue  from  myself,  the  possibility  of  the  Lord's^ 
changing  the  views  and  practices  of  many  of  the 
people,  though  I  need  not,  for  the  promise  is  sure; 
"  I  will  p-ive  thee  the  heathen  for  thine  inherit- 
ance;"  and  multitudes  of  other  promises  there 
are.  But  one  clear  one  is  enough,  one  unmistak- 
ble  command  suflficient.  May  our  love  to  Christ 
and  our  interest  in  His  cause  steadily  increase. 

Affectionately,  your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


This  missionary  year  closed  with  a  personal 
affliction  to  Dr.  Green — the  death  of  Percival 
Ackland   Dyke,    Esq.,    who    for  forty  years    had 


Aetat.  45.]  Percival  A.  Dyke.  257 


efficiently  conducted  the  affairs  of  the  Northern 
Province.  At  the  funeral,  "numerously  attended 
by  all  classes,"  Dr.  Green  was  assigned  the  place  of 
"second  mourner,"  "thankful  to  have  had  the  con- 
fidential friendship  of  the  first  man  in  Ceylon." 


CHAPTER    XVI 


1867-1868:    ^T.  45-46. 


V^ZHEN  the  Cholera  Commissioners  had  pub- 
lished their  Report,  the  Ceylon  Observer 
took  the  occasion  to  publish  an  article  in  com- 
mendation of  Dr.  Green  for  his  endeavors  to 
relieve  the  suffering  and  abate  the  pestilence. 

By  the  middle  of  December  he  had  finished 
the  revision  of  the  lar<2;e  work  on  Suro-erv,  trans- 
lated  by  his  former  Tamil  pupil,  Dr.  Danforth. 

In  January,  Dr.  Loos  sent  Dr.  Green  a  treatise 
on  Sanitary  and  Medical  action  in  Cholera  Times, 
asking  suggestions,  which  were  both  given  and 
adopted,  and  the  treatise  was  sent  to  Colombo  to 
be  printed.  The  Governor  of  Ceylon  sent  them 
a  letter  of  thanks,  and  requested  that  Dr.  Green 
should  "superintend  the  preparation  and  printing 
of  a  Tamil  translation"  at  the  Government's  ex- 
pense. 

This  year  the  Government  doubled  its  appro- 
priation in  aid  of  the  Medical  Department  of  the 
Mission,  making  it  one  hundred  pounds  sterling. 
From  among  forty  applicants  Dr.  Green  selected 


Aetat.45.1  Classes  in  medicine.  259 

a  new  Class  of  twelve  medical  students.  His  ex- 
ample was  already  followed  to  some  extent  in 
Southern  India.  There  was  a  class  gathered  in 
Trevarudum  to  be  taught  in  the  vernacular.  There 
was  another  in  Arcot,  gathered  and  instructed  by 
Dr.  Silas  D.  Scudder,  who  sent  to  Dr.  Green  for 
several  copies  of  his  Surgery  and  of  his  Obstetrics 
for  their  use. 

To  a  brother  then  resident  in  Michigan: 

Manepy,  December  17,  1867. 

My  Dear  Brother: 

Am  I  right  in  fearing  for  your  health 
bodily  and  spiritual.^  Don't  you  crowd  too  hard? 
He  that  makes  haste  to  be  rich  is  not  innocent, 
the  Lord  tells  us.  There  is  more  enjoyment  in 
quiet  living  as  we  go,  than  in  luxury  and  its  con- 
comitant invalidism.  Settle  it  now,  on  the  ex- 
perience detailed  in  Ecclesiastes  (which  is  on  a 
greater  scale  than  anyof  us  can  try  for  himself), 
that  the  pursuit  of  wealth  is  sheer  delusion.  If 
you  will  to  make  money  for  Christ  and  His  cause 
I  would  not  object,  for  then  not  money  but  the 
Lord's  glory  is  the  aim,  and  a  blessing  may 
crown  the  end. 

I  hope  you  will  be  very  jealous   of   intrusion 
upon  your  God-granted  weekly  rest.     Don't  let 


2  6o  The  Sabbath.  [A.  D.  1868. 


the  same  person  make  free  with  your  Sabbath 
repose  more  than  once.  Receive  poHtely,  enter- 
tain kindly,  and  part  decidedly  on  that  point. 
Else  one  immersed  in  business  is  very  liable  to 
the  disastrous  squandering  of  hours  indispensable 
to  spiritual  converse  and  culture.  Guard  the 
Sabbath  If  the  outworks  must  go,  keep  this,  the 
citadel  as  you  would  keep  your  soul  for  the 
Sabbath  unendino-. 


'&• 


Affectionately,  your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Manepy,  February  3,  1868. 

My  Dear  Brother  William  : 

I  am  concerned  to  hear  such  accounts  of 
your  health.  I  fondly  hope  you  may  weather  the 
damps  and  chills  of  the  coming  spring  and  enjoy 
greatly  the  summer  and  autumn  months.  I  feel 
much  for  you  in  your  weakness  and  in  your  be- 
reavement. I  daily  commend  you  to  the  Com- 
forter. My  prayer  is  that  He  will  sanctify  to  you 
your  trials  and  that  He  will  abundantly  console 
you. 

Let  me  urge  you  to  read  the  Gospels  much 
and  to  muse  upon  the  truth  with  prayer.  Thus  be- 
come acquainted  with  Christ.  Learn  to  regard  Him 
as  near  you,  concerned  for  you,  loving  you,  willing 
and  ready  to  do  all  needful  for  you.  Trust  in 
Him  only;  in  Wvcvi  per  se\  in  Him  apart  from  all 


Aetat.  45,]        An  u  tier  ring,  all-suffident  Friend,  261 


that  men  massed,  or  man  individual,  have,  since 
His  life  on  earth,  been  wrapping  around  Him. 
"Jesus  here  and  now"  is  the  formula  for  comfort 
and  salvation.  Held  tor  in  filial  love;  this  is  enough 
— "the"  all-sufficiency  of  Christ  sufficient  for  all." 
That  you  may  fully  know  "the  joy  of  this  salva- 
tion," and  may  be  in  all  your  way  "upheld  by 
His  free  Spirit,"  is  my  yearning  desire. —  Much 
love  to  dear  sister  Sarah  and  to  dear  Timothy. 
Ever  and  most  affectionately. 

Your  brother, 

Samuel  Y .  Green. 

In  the  Spring  Dr.  Green  received  permission 
to  visit  the  Pulney  Hills  at  his  discretion,  but  he 
used  his  discretion  to  keep  on  at  his  work.  He 
relinquished  public  speaking,  on  account  of  his 
health,  and  instead  of  visiting  from  house  to 
house  on  Sundays  had  a  Class  in  the  Sunday- 
school,  and  held  a  meeting  with  the  servants. 

Manepy,  March  30,  1868. 

My  Dear  Sister  Lucy: 

I  feel  ^reat  interest  in  the  near  future  be- 
fore  you.  I  wait  to  see  what  path  you  will  take 
in  following  the  guidance  of  an  unerring  Friend. 
May    your  way  be  made   very    plain.     You    are 


2  62  Changes.  [A.  D.  1868. 

happy  in  having  both  a  useful  retrospect  and  a 
glorious  prospect.  May  your  happiness  rise  till 
it  lands  you  in  the  abode  of  the  ever  and  wholly 
blessed. — I  imagine  the  environs  of  No.  1  may 
have  so  changed  as  to  weaken  your  attachment 
to  that  spot  where  you  have  done  and  borne  and 
enjoyed  so  much.  So  it  comes  to  pass  also  with 
the  very  body  we  dwell  in.  Infirmities  gradually 
so  encompass  it,  changes  about  it  so  multiply,  that 
we  are  at  last  glad  to  withdraw  and  begin  anew 
elsewhere.  How  favored  we  are  that  our  change 
is  not  problematical,  that  it  is  assured  and  glo- 
rious. While  others  would  fain  dwell  here,  the 
child  of  God  would  not  even  lag  but  gladly  hasten 
to  a  better  and  an  enduring  inheritance. — I  some- 
times yearn  for  the  society  of  my  near  relatives, 
but  one  need  not  be  impatient;  for  while  we  yet 
speak  of  it  we  run  express  to  the  meeting  of  all 
the  good  and  the  lovable,  arrive  and  stay.  .  .  . 
Ever  affectionately, 

Your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Manepy,  March  30,  1868. 

My  Dear  Sister  Mary: 

....  When  one  for  years  stoutly  resists 
conviction  and  will  not  believe  what  he  ought, 
may  it  not  be  a  judgment  upon  him  to  be  left  to 

believe  what  he  ought  not.-^ All   that    is 

distinctively  Romish  is  anti-Christian.     All  that  is 
Christian  in  that  body  is  to  be  found  in    purer 


Aetat.  45.]  Letter  to  his  sister  Lydia.  263 

communions.  Why  leap  into  dogmatism  to  find 
rest,  which  is  delusive,  when  it  can  really  be  found 
only  in  Christ?  The  Romish  priesthood  seem  to 
me  a  set  of  politicians.  Romanism  is  by  far  the 
most  efficient  opponent  to  the  spread  of  the 
gospel.  .  .  .  Robed  in  einblems  purloined  from 
the  Bible,  the  Sorceress  bewitches  in  every  land 
multitudes  who  wish  to  be  saved  yet  not  in  the 
Saviour's  way.  .   .  . 

Truly, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Manepv.  March  30,  1868. 

My  Dear  Sister  Lydia: 

....  ThrouHi  the  tie  of  affection  we 
"rejoice  with  those  that  do  rejoice,"  and  so  multi- 
ply our  own  joys  and  share  them  too  with  others. 
When  a  noble  worthy  love  pervades  the  race, 
knitting  all  in  one  and  tying  all  to  the  Lord  of 
love  and  light,  how  happy  a  state  it  will  be.  The 
Master  is  bound  on  inducing  just  such  a  con- 
dition, and  He  will  neither  fail  nor  be  discouraged 
till  He  accomplish  it.  In  so  far  as  we  succeed  in 
cultivating,  and  habitually  bear  within,  a  worthy 
love,  in  so  far  do  we  possess  a  little  heaven  here  and 
prepare  for  the  great  heaven  hereafter.  In  this 
divine  enterprise  may  the  Lord  vouchsafe  us  a 
steadily  growing  prosperity. 
Much  love  from  us  all. 

Most  affectionately, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


264  Letter  to  his  brother  William.  [A.  D.  1868. 

MANEPY,yz^7Z^  8,   1868. 

My  Dear  Brother  William: 

I  also  sympathize  with  you  sincerely 

in  the  withdrawal  from  steady  business.  It  must 
be  some  satisfaction  to  you  to  have  held  the  office 
so  long  as  it  existed.  Considering  the  mutations 
in  politics  you  held  the  post  wonderfully  long. 
You  can  be  thankful  for  the  past,  and  now  wait 
and  see  what  a  kind  Providence  will  open  before 
you  instead  of  this  door  just  closed. 

I  feel  a  deep  and  most  hearty  sympathy  with 
you  in  your  sicknesses,  your  bereavements  and 
your  trials  as  to  business.  It  is  a  consolation  to 
remember  that  nothing  happens  at  random,  that 
One  infinitely  wise  and  equally  good  controls  all 
that  affects  us  and,  further,  will,  if  we  but  love 
Him,  make  all  that  transpires  concerning  us  to 
work  for  our  good.  Try,  dear  brother,  to  receive 
all  as  from  our  Father  in  heaven  patiently,  grate- 
fully and  humbly. 

I  feel  that  we  all,  and  especially  perhaps  you 
and  I,  stand  on  the  very  confines  of  eternity. 
This  is  no  bad  thing  if  we  are  by  faith  joined  to 
Christ.  To  those  in  Him,  Death  has  no  sting, 
yea,  rather  is  but  the  Bearer  of  the  soul  to  glory. 

I  feel  that  I  read  the  Bible  too  little,  and  I 
wish  that  both  of  us  might  be  much  with  it.  I 
am  ashamed  to  detect  myself  ready  to  catch  up  a 
newspaper  to  while  away  a  little  time,  but  reluc- 
tant to  give  that  odd  fragment  of  time  to  the 
perusal  of  God's  word.     Let  me  suggest  to  you  to 


Aetat.  45.]  Letter  to  his  sister.  265 


read  and  dwell  upon  the  word.  If  it  don't  relish, 
keep  at  it  and  pray  over  it  till  the  Spirit  who  gave 
it  shall  give  appetite  and  enjoyment  of  it.  Thus 
your  soul  will  grow  into  harmony  with  the  Author 
of  revealed  truth,  and  the  truth  shall  make  you 
free. 

With  very  much  love  to  your  dear  self,  to  dear 
sister  Sarah  and  my  beloved  nephew  Timothy,  I 
remain 

Yours  ever  most  affectionately, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

MANEPY,y2/7^^  26,  1868. 

My  Dear  Sister  Lydia: 

I  enjoy  the  perusal  of  the  copied  note  of 
dear  brother  Martin.  It  is  a  matter  of  thankful- 
ness to  see  the  tender  love  still  within  as  it  was  in 
boyhood  when  we  were  a  happy  group  together  in 
the  old  hive.  Alas  that  he  or  any  of  us  should 
consent  to  live  overtoilsomely — to  live  in  a  con- 
stant pressure  and  hurry.  We  can  live  but  once 
on  earth,  and  a  quiet  life  with  "a  heart  at  leisure 
from  itself  to  soothe  and  sympathize"  would  no 

doubt  most  gratify  our  Master 

I  wish  brother  Martin  would  arrange  to  live  on 
the  Hill.  It  seems  unwise  that  he  should  spoil 
his  days  by  harrassments  and  shorten  his  earthly 
term.  Were  I  not  in  the  most  important  yet 
most  neglected  enterprise  of  missions,  I  would  be 
26 


266  Laborers  fo7'  the  ha7'vest.  [A.  D.  1868. 

glad  to  close  up  and  go  and  dwell  with  my  sisters. 
But  only  a  tithe  of  those  the  American  church 
should  send  are  yet  out  among  the  heathen,  and 
we  should  only  as  a  last  necessity  do  aught  to 
diminish  the  far  too  scanty  force.  Pray,  all  of  you, 
that  "more  laborers  may  be  sent  into  the  harvest." 
I  hope  all  my  children  will  be  missionaries  to  the 
heathen. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


MANEPY,y2//j/  9,  i868. 

My  Dear  Sister  Lucy: 

....  The  Celtic  element  pervades  New 
England,  and  the  Puritan  element  pervades  the 
West.  The  country  is  to  be  homogeneous  though 
a  mixture.  I  look  for  a  still  more  rapid  growth 
after  the  Pacific  Rail  lines  are  completed.  I 
think  it  would  be  better  for  the  country  and  un- 
speakably better  for  other  lands  if  some  thousands 
of  the  cultivated  young  men  and  women  of  Christ- 
ian principle  would  spread  and  dwell  here  and 
there  out  among  the  heathen  and  degraded 
nations  of  the  earth.  .  .  .  One  of  the  main  results 
to  be  wished  from  all  the  revivals  said  to  be  oc- 
currino-  in  America  is  the  aus^mentation  of  the 
missionary  force,  the  spreading  of  it  into  lands 
hitherto  unreached. 


Aetat.  45. J  Letter  to  Dr.  Delafield.  267 

I  must  thank  you  deeply  for  your  very  liberal 
offer  of  funds  for  the  issue  of  Tamil  medical  books. 
I  shall  not  hesitate  to  accept  the  offer  if  there 
should  arise  a  need  for  the  funds. 
'  As  to  return  home,  I  am  more  in  favor  of  that 
than  any  of  you  can  be,  for  it  is  no  easier  for  one 
to  be  away  from  several  than  for  several  to  spare 
the  one.  I  hope  the  way  will  be  opened  by  the 
completion  of  work  here  to  return  and  spend  the 
evening  of  life  with  you  all.  Should  I  be  with 
you  by  the  time  I  am  fifty-six,  I  might  perhaps 
hope  for  many  days  of  enjoyment  with  you.  We 
are  so  blessed  by  being  in  Christ,  that  the  fact 
stands,  as  to  any  plan  we  may  form,  that  ''it  is 
either  this  or  somethins^  better." 

With  much  love  from  us  all. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


Manepy,  Jaffna,  Ceylon,  yz^^/y  i8,  \ 

Edward  Delafield,  Esq.,  M.  D. 

President  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons. 

Dear  Sir: 

Permit  me  through  you  to  express  to  the 
Trustees  of  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Sur- 
geons my  gratitude  for  the  favor  they  have  extend- 
ed me  in  conferring  upon   Mr.  J.   Danforth    the 


2  68  Results  since  1862.  [A.  D.  1868. 

honorary  Degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine,  and  my 
conviction  that  he  will  reflect  credit  on  his  adopt- 
ing Mother.  I  believe  this  recognition  of  merit 
will  have  a  happy  influence  upon  the  many 
Practitioners  trained  in  Medicine  by  the  American 
Mission. 

I  doubt  not,  on  the  receipt  of  his  Diploma,  Mr. 
Danforth  will  speak  for  himself  his  high  apprecia- 
tion of  the  honor  the  College  has  done  him. 

Pray  accept  my  hearty  thanks  for  your  very 
kind  action  in  this  matter,  and  believe  me  to  be, 
dear  Sir, 

Yours  respectfully, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

In  the  summer  he  summed  up  results  of  labor 
since  his  return  in  the  autumn  of  1862  partially 
as  follows.  Having  found  a  Class  already  one 
third  of  the  way  through  their  course  of  medical 
study  in  English,  he  had  led  them  through  the 
remainder,  graduating  eight  physicians.  He  had 
carried  eight  others  through  their  whole  course  in 
the  vernacular.  He  had  trained  three  dispensers 
wholly  in  Tamil, — the  first  ever  so  trained, — and 
three  others  partially.  'He  had  made  out  six 
vocabularies,  and  completed  four  others  which 
were  partially  prepared  before  his  visit  to  Ameri- 
ca; carried  one  large  volume  through  the  press, 


Aetat.  45.]  Adioft  not  single.  269 

and  prepared  another;  secured  three  volumes  in 
manuscript  soon  to  be  ready  for  printing,  and  five 
more  in  a  crude  initiatory  stage  only;  work,  said 
he,  "which  would  else  be  undone,  which  most 
urgently  needed  to  be  done,  and  needs  to  be  pros- 
ecuted till  the  enterprize  as  a  whole  shall  flourish 
here  as  an  acclimatized  transplanted  Western 
vine  — the  outgrowth  of  a  true  religion  there  the 
aid  to  the  spread  of  true  religion  here — for  the 
greater  part  done  by  others  under  my  direction, — 
what  I  have  caused  to  be  done. 

"  Mv  action  is  not  single,"  he  continued,  "but 
combined  with  that  of  others.  There  are  perhaps 
two  hundred  missionaries  to  the  Tamils;  of  these 
perhaps  five  are  medical  missionaries.  Did  I  feel 
that  I  worked  alone,  I  should  consider  myself 
bound  to  engage  in  the  direct  proclamation  of  the 
gospel.  I  stand,  however,  adjuvant  to  those  who 
proclaim  it,  and  I  wish  to  live  it  and  to  make  my 
profession  subserve  the  success  of  the  Truth 
among  this  people.  I  feel  comfort  in  the  convic- 
tion that  I  am  where  the  Lord  would  have  me, 
and  some  good  degree  of  comfort  and  assurance 
that  I  am  doing  what  He  would  have  me  do." 

Mr.  Murdock  wrote:  "Whatever  a  few  men 
unacquainted  with  Tamil  may  themselves  think, 
there  cannot  be  a  doubt  but  that  you  are  on  the 
right  track,  and  accomplishing  a  great  work.     It 


270  J^c'sigtis  care  of  Hospital.  [A.  D.  1868. 


is  perfectly  true  that  native  medical  men  are  re- 
quired with  a  thorough  knowledge  of  English, 
but  it  is  also  as  certain  that  a  much  laro-er  number 
is  required  of  a  humbler  class.  If  your  work  is 
not  sufficiently  appreciated  at  present,  you  have 
only  to  'bide  your  time.'  Succeeding  generations 
will  reap  the  benefit  of  the  attention  you  have 
given  to  the  subject,  including  the  dry  but  very 
important  question  of  the  renderings  of  scientific 
terms." 

Before  the  close  of  this  missionary  year.  Dr. 
Green  resigned  the  Superintendency  of  the 
Ffiend-in-Need  Society's  Hospital,  recommending 
Dr.  Danforth  for  the  position,  and  asking  the 
continuance  of  these  privileges:  The  advantages 
of  practical  anatomy  to  his  students;  the  arrange- 
ment by  which  the  Society's  Dispensary  and  that 
of  the  American  Mission  could  accommodate  each 
other  with  supplies  at  seventy  five  per  cent,  on 
London  cost;  and  sending  the  pauper  sick  to  the 
Hospital.  His  resignition  was  accepted  witl, 
great  regret,  and  because  it  was  final.  The  com- 
mittee expressed  the  wish  that  "it  were  possible 
by  any  offer  or  by  any  concession"  to  retain  his 
services  which  had  brougrht  the  institution  "to  its 
present  high  state  of  efficiency."  The  official 
said:  "Should  it  at  any  time  suit  your  conven- 
ience,   or    again    become    compatible    with    your 


Aetat.  45.]  Fa77iily  union,  271 


missionary   duties,    to  resume   tiie  charge  of  the 
Hospital,    the    Committee    would    hail    with    the 
greatest  satisfaction  your  return  to  an  office  which 
must  otherwise  long  remain  vacant  for  want  of  a 
successor    who    will    be    worthy    of  you."     They 
adopted  his  recommendation,  however,  and  granted 
his  requests.— His  term  of  service,  begun  as  an 
experiment,  continued  five  years  and  five  months. 
At  each   recurrence    of    the    day    observed    at 
Green  Hill  as  the  anniversary  of  the  last  meeting 
of  all  the  members  of  the  family,  he  was  accus- 
tomed to  write  a  letter  for  the  occasion. 


Manepy,  September  16,  1868. 
Dear  Sisters  and  Brothers: 

....  Seven  years  ago  to-day  we  gathered 
a  happy  ten  about  our  beloved  sire.  Since,  he 
has  gone  before  us  (we  trust  to  the  Better  Land) 
and  we  remain  disunited  from  him  and  our  bond 
to  each  other  in  him  dissevered,  but  all  knit  in- 
dissolubly  in  heart  by  that  "brotherly  love"  which 
he  exemplified  and  fostered  in  us.  The  Lord  for- 
bid we  should  be  sundered  in  the  unseen  world. 
If  all  are  joined  by  faith  in  Christ  we  shall  be  in 
the  best  and  most  enduring  manner  compacted 
in  one  Ethnological  family. 

A    great    number    of    things  most    potent   the 
apostle    recounts  as  unable  to  separate  us  from 


272  Cuts  for  Chemistry.  [A.  D.  1868. 

the  love  of  God  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  011  r 
Lorcl.  There  is  only  one  thing  that  can  break 
up  our  family;  that  is  unbelief.  All  manner  of 
sin  may  be  remitted  and  we  left  whole,  but  unbe- 
lief defiantly  keeps  off  remission.  May  the  Lord 
save  us  each  from  unbelief;  in  so  doing  He  saves 
us  wholly.  May  "peace  in  believing"  be  the  uni- 
form experience  of  us  each  to  the  end 

Your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green, 

Manepy,  October  3,  1868. 

My  Dear  Sister  Mary: 

I  brought  up  the  matter  of  illustrative  cuts 
for  a  Chemistry  at  our  Business  Meeting  on 
Thursday  last.  The  Mission  instructed  me  to 
write  to  Mr.  Murdock,  inquiring  whether  any  one 
else  in  Tamildom  is  preparing  a  work  on  Chem- 
istry; whether  his  Society  will  print  such  a  work 
if  the  Manuscript  be  furnished;  whether  his 
Society  would  procure  and  own  the  requisite  cuts. 
I  wrote  Mr.  Murdock  pursuant  to  these  in- 
structions yesterday,  mailing  to  Madras.  I  added 
that  I  contemplated  a  work  adapted  for  the  high- 
est classes  in  Seminaries  and  for  medical  students; 
that  I  had  the  offer  of  the  cuts  in  Wells'  Chemis- 
try at  a  moderate  charge  each,  naming  it  fully; 
that  Mr.  Wells'  book  had  been  recommended  to 
me  as  the  best  one  for  my  purpose;  that  I  had  all 


Aetat.46.]  Witness  against  superstition.  273 


the  Terms  prepared,  and  also  had  a  Manuscript 
translation  of  Porter's  Chemistry  in  hand  but  not 
revised.  I  now  wait  to  hear  from  Mr.  Murdock, 
and  expect  to  report  his  answer  to  the  Mission. 

I  send  you  Dr.  Wood's  letter  to  me.  Pray 
that  the  Lord  will  raise  up  Friends  and  Funds 
for  this  work,  and  that  it  may  be  early  and  well 
done,  that  this  swift  witness  against  Superstition 
may  be  abroad  on  its  mission  among  these  mill- 
ions. 

I  trust  ere  this  reaches  you,  you  will  have  joy- 
fully welcomed  back  from  their  tour  husband  and 
brother.*  With  very  much  love  to  yourself  and 
to  them  both,  I  remain, 

Your  grateful  and  affectionate  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

*They  had  been  traveling  in  Europe. 


CHAPTER    XVII 


1868-1870:    ^T.  46-48. 


V\7'ITHIN  a  fortnight  from  his  relinquishment 

of    service    at    the    Hospital,    Dr.    Green 

noted  an  improvement  in  his  health,  apparently 

owinQf-  to    out-door    exercise    in    the  cool  of  the 

O 

day  instead  of  in  the  heat  as  before.  By  his 
gain  of  two  days  in  a  week,  the  rate  of  literary 
work  was  greatly  increased,  his  hours  being  now 
from  seven  o'clock  to  nine,  from  half  past  ten  to 
twelve,  from  one  to  two,  and  from  three  to  five, 
though  he  was  often  interrupted  by  the  Dispen- 
sary, the  Class,  correspondence  and  social  claims. 
Full  manuscript  translations  of  Churchill  on 
Diseases  of  Women  and  of  West  on  Diseases  of 
Children,  were  soon  in  hand,  but  yet  to  be  "veri- 
fied in  teaching  them  to  the  Class,  and  then  to  be 
passed  to  Dr.  Green  in  fair  free  copy  for  final  re- 
vision for  the  press." 

Manepy,  October  24,  1868. 

My  Dear  Brother  Andrew: 

Thanks  for  your  most  pleasant  note  from 
Lon'on  town.     I  have  enjoyed  also  the  perusal  of 


Aetat.  46. J  The  art  of  living.  275 

some  of  your  notes  from  Erin.  The  program  of 
your  tour  onwards  from  Killarney  round  to  Goth- 
am again  is  most  attractive.  I  hope  you  may 
return  recruited,  and  so  accomplish  all  the  more 
in  your  philanthropic  efforts. 

I  desire  first  for  yourself  and  myself  and  our 
brothers,  that  we  succeed  in  the  art  of  living 
deliberately,  the  art  of  habitual  diligence,  having 
the  while  "a  heart  at  leisure  from  itself  to  soothe 
and  sympathize."  I  wish  you  would  arrange  for 
more  leisure,  if  even  at  the  sacrifice  of  a  share  of 
present  income.  "A  man's  life  consisteth  not  in 
the  abundance  of  the  things  which  he  possesseth." 
It  is  not  what  comes  into  one's  pocket  but  what 
comes  into  one's  mind  that  is  really  worthy.  By 
constant  pressure  we  diminish  present  enjoyment 
both  for  ourselves  and  for  others  around  us;  we 
also  damage  our  development  for  the  lasting  joys 
of  the  future.  I  hope  you  will  contract  the 
sphere  of  your  engagements  to  snug  limits,  and 
take  time  for  social  and  scientific  amenities. 
Our  real  life  is  however  within.  Never  was  word 
more  lucid  poured  on  our  nature  than  "The 
kingdom  of  God  is  within  you."  There  is  the 
root  of  our  troubles;  there  must  be  set  and  tended 
the  roots  of  our  happiness.  "  I  am  the  true  vine," 
says  Christ,  "and  my  Father  is  the  husbandman." 
Admit  and  cherish  the  abiding  of  these  soul 
friends;  so  clusters  of  joy  and  wine  of  gladness 
shall  refresh  us  ever. 

I  long  to  be  with  you.  I  yearn  for  your  com- 
pany. I  rejoice,  however,  that  the  Lord  Jesus 
can  and  will  make  you  perfectly  happy  and   keep 


276  Daily  reference  to  the  Standard.         f A.  D.  1869. 

you  SO.     Consent  to  him.     Love  to  you  from  us 
all.     Ever  and  most  affectionately, 

Your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

^K^Y.YY ,  January  7,  1869. 

To  His  Sisters  and  Brothers: 

....  The  world  allures  one  way  and 
Christ  the  other.  The  world  enwraps  us  and  we 
can  only  get  away  from  it  to  Christ  by  a  sus- 
tained effort  of  the  will.  It  is  essential  to  the 
soul's  weal  that  we  keep  renewedly  conversant 
with  the  Saviour.  There  is  no  substitute  for  the 
daily  reading  about  Him  in  the  history  He  has 
written  for  us.  We  need  habitually  to  contem- 
plate His  character,  and  in  the  light  of  His  ex- 
ample to  see  the  worthlessness  of  our  best  works. 
Without  this  daily  reference  to  the  Standard  we 
easily  lower  our  view  to  the  prevailing  grade  and 
come  to  think  well  of  ourselves.  Thus  self-right- 
eousness is  as  natural  and  common  as  the  true 
righteousness,  the  vicarious  righteousness,  is  es- 
sential and  rare.  "The  wicked  flattereth  himself 
in  his  own  eyes,  till  his  iniquity  be  found  to  be 
hateful."  No  more  dangerous  snare  than  this. 
Whatever  else  we  may  omit,  let  us  never  omit  to 
read  leisurely  a  portion  of  God's  book  daily. 
The    more  our  pressure,  the  more  our  need    of 


Aetat.  46.]  Surgery  distributed.  277 


this    steadying,  elevating  influence.     We  neglect 
it  at  our  peril.  .  .  . 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


At  the  meeting  of  the  Jaffna  Auxiliary  Bible 
and  Tract  Society,  Dr.  Green  was  put  upon  the 
Publishing  and  Revision  Committees.  He  sent 
thirty  copies  of  his  Surgery  to  Madras,  twelve  to 
Madura  and  twelve  to  Nagerkoil.  Having  called 
on  the  new  recruits  just  settled  at  Batticotta,  he 
said,  "I  for  the  first  time  look  upon  juveniles, 
feeling  myself  a  veteran." 

Manepy,  Thursday,  January  7,  1869. 

My  Dear  Sister  Mary: 

I  desire  to  express  my  deep  sense  of  obli- 
gation to  yourself  and  to  Mr.  Knudsen  for  your 
ereat  kindness  in  the  matter  of  books  and  cuts. 

•  •  T 

You  have  spared  neither  pams  nor  expense.  1 
hope  by  the  blessing  of  God  you  may  one  day  see 
a  nice  volume  on  Chemistry  in  Tamil,  and  so  be 
gratified  by  ocular  proof  that  your  exertions  have 
resulted  in  substantial  good  to  a  great  people.  .  .  . 

Affectionately,  your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 
27 


278  Letter  to  his  sister  Lydia.  [A.  D.  1689. 

MANp:PY,y?//>'  17,  1869. 

My  Dear  Sister  Lydia: 

I  am  deeply  moved  by  the  account  of  your 
health  by  last  mail.  I  feel  no  anxiety  about  you, 
for  1  know  you  rest  in  Jesus.  I  can  do  nothing 
for  you,  because  many  friends  surround  you  de- 
votedly. Could  I  be  of  essential  service  to  you, 
I  should  deem  it  duty  to  go  to  you  as  soon  as 
possible,  I  use  my  privilege  to  pray  for  you 
frequently.  I  feel  called  upon  to  praise  the  Lord 
also  for  all  the  abounding  goodness  shown  you, 
the  crowning  mercy  of  which  is  "a  heart  to  taste 
His  gifts  with  joy."  The  Lord  will  strengthen 
you  on  the  bed  of  languishing.  He  will  make  all 
your  bed  in  your  sickness.  Goodness  and  mercy 
will  surely  follow  you  to  the  end,  and  you  will  go 
and  dwell  in  the  glory  of  the  Lord  forever.  I 
rejoice  over  you  in  Christ,  and  confidently  antici- 
pate the  happiest  meeting  with  you  above. 
Love  from  us  all. 

Affectionately, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Mr.  Murdock  wrote  Dr.  Green,  suggesting  the 
preservation  of  his  works  by  presenting  copies  to 
the  Museum  and  the  Medical  College  Libraries  in 
Madras,  to  the  American  Oriental  Society,  to  the 
British  Museum  Library,  and  to  the  Royal  Asiatic 


Aetat.  46.]  Commendation  from  the  Governor.  279 


Society's  Library, — where  "the  copies  would  be 
carefully  preserved  and  the  titles  printed  in  the 
catalogues." 

Mr.  Capron,  of  Mana  Madura,  wrote  him:  "His 
Excellency  the  Governor  has  been  visiting  Arcot, 
and  praising  and  helping  Dr.  Scudder.  Here  is 
one  sentence,  half  of  which  belongs  to  you;  'In 
conclusion,  I  beg  to  call  the  attention  of  Govern- 
ment to  the  good  service  which  the  American 
Mission  is  rendering  to  humanity,  and  enlighten- 
ment, by  the  education  of  native  Medical  Students 
and  by  the  translation  of  Medical  Works  into  the 
vernacular  of  the  country.'  All  American,  and 
no  time  to  distinguish  ;  but  His  Excellency  refers 
to  page  6,  of  the  report  where  you  are  catalogued." 

In  September  Dr.  Green  received  "a  letter  from 
Dr.  Smith,  President  of  the  Madras  Medical 
College,  asking  suggestions  towards  a  scheme  to 
popularize  Medical  Science"  among  the  "55,000 
villages  of  the  Madras  Presidency;"  to  which  he 
wrote  six  pages  in  reply. 

On  the  30th  he  was  agreeably  surprised  by  a 
call  from  the  Class,  asking  permission  to  write 
from  the  teacher's  dictation  the  study  they  had 
just  begun,  and  which  he  had  directed  the  teacher 
to  communicate  orally,  "not  wishing  to  tax  them 
vi^ith  too  much  labor."  On  this  evidence  of  interest 
he  granted  the  permission. 


Letter  from  the  Government  Agent.      [A.  D.  i860. 


Mr.  Russell,  who  succeeded  Mr.  Dyke,  as  Gov- 
ernment Agent  of  the  Northern  Province,  became 
so  much  interested  in  Dr.  Green  and  his  work 
that  afterwards,  when  Government  Agent  of  the 
Central  Province  and  a  member  of  the  Legislative 
Council,  he  initiated,  without  solicitation,  a  move- 
ment in  his  favor,  which  greeted  him  with  an 
agreeable  surprise. 

From  Mr.  Russell. 

Kandy,   Oct.   12,   1869. 

My  Dear  Sir: 

You  have  probably  learned  from  the  local 
press  that  the  establishment  of  a  Medical  School 
at  Colombo  is  contemplated  by  Government.  At 
the  discussion  of  the  subject  in  Sub-Committee, 
I  mentioned  the  utility  and  high  character  of  your 
Medical  School,  and  from  the  reception  with 
which  my  remarks  met,  I  am  inclined  to  think 
that  if  the  case  of  your  institution  were  properly 
brought  before  the  Legislative  Council,  it  might 
be  pbssible  to  obtain  a  grant  of  Government  funds 
in  aid  of  your  School.  I  shall  be  happy  to  do 
what  I  can  to  further  so  desirable  an  object,  if  I 
know  that  you  are  willing  to  accept  a  grant. 
Will  you  kindly  let  me  know  this  by  return  of 
post,  and  at  the  same  time  give  me  any  details 
which  you  think  it  is  expedient  to  communicate 


Aetat.  47.]  Government  aid  welcomed.  281 

with  reference  to  the  present  condition,  the  scope 
and  the  future  prospects  of  the  Medical  School  at 
Manepy.     Believe  me,  my  dear  Sir, 

Yours  very  truly, 

H.  S.  O.  Russell. 

Dr.  S.  F.  Green. 


Dr.  Green  replied  at  once,  that  "  The  Mission 
would  be  very  glad  of  some  additional  help  from 
the  Government  in  their  endeavors  to  promote 
Medical  Education,  and  to  develop  a  Medical 
Literature,  in  Tamil ;"  giving  an  account  of  the 
enterprise,  the  Class,  and  the  expenses,  and  saying 
that  "  two  hundred  pounds  a  year  would  be  most 
gratefully  received  and  strictly  applied." 

Manepy,  November  8,  i  869 
My  Dear  Brother: 

....  I  have  two  things  much  on  my 
mind  concerning  you  spiritually.  One  is  my  fear 
that  you  may  be  entrapped  by  self-righteousness. 
By  the  Lord's  favor  you  are  enabled  to  walk 
honestly,  uprightly,  purely  as  compared  with 
many  around  you  in  the  same  social  grade  as 
yourself.     There    is  danger  that  the    suggestion 


Exhortation.  [A.  D.  1869. 


will  be  often  made  to  you  that  you  are  better  than 
others,  etc.,  all  which  may  be  quite  true;  but  the 
hint,  that  we  have  nothing  good  but  what  we  have 
received,  will  be  withheld,  and  you  be  encouraged 
to  rest  in  self-complacency — in  self-righteousness — 
and  so  be  ruined.  Now  I  beg  to  warn  you  on  this 
point,  and  entreat  you  to  seek  familiarity  with  the 
character  of  our  Lord  Jesus,  and  to  contrast  your- 
self with  Him  frequently,  not  in  externals  but  in 
inner  character;  with  Him  as  Comptroller  of  the 
Central  Park;  with  Him,  as  in  yourplace  and  times. 
Thus  keeping  or  own  inner  selves  alongside  the 
great  Standard  Character  is  the  only  way  to  a 
truthful  view  of  ourselves ;  to  an  abiding  conviction 
that  "all  our  righteousnesses  are  as  filthy  rags." 
Resolve,  dear  Brother,  to  begin,  or  if  begun  to 
continue  this  scrutiny  of  self  daily.  There  is  no  » 
other  way  to  true  humility,  to  salvation.  I  ear- 
nestly entreat  you  to  this  converse  with  Christ 
often  and  statedly;  commune  with  Him  over  His 
word  in  solitude.  We  grow  like  our  company. 
We  must  company  with  Christ,  would  we  grow 
like  Him.  We  bar  ourselves  from  heaven  by 
neglect  t(j  cultivate  this  likeness. 

The  second  thing  is,  I  fear  you  may  yet  be 
confounding  death  and  a  preparation  for  death. 
We  can't  be  dying  all  the  time.  We  must  act  in 
the  living  present.  But  we  can  and  should  live  in 
a  state  of  readiness  to  die;  not  of  willingness, 
necessarily,  but  of  preparedness.  This  state  of 
preparedness  consists  in  reconciliation  with  God 
by  faith  in  Jesus  Christ.  This  abiding  faith  must 
be  the  substratum  of  character. .   It  will  not  inter- 


Aetat.  47.1  Death  of  his  sister  Lydia.  283 


fere  with  energetic  devotion  to  business,  but  will 
be  a  vast  help  to  work  effectively  and  comfortably. 
It  will  raise  the  grade  of  our  toil  from  that  of  the 
selfish  to  that  done  for  the  Saviour;  from  the 
moral  to  the  spiritual.  Don't,  dear  brother,  stave 
off  this  matter,  half  unconsciously  determining  to 
attend  to  death  when  you  come  to  die.  But  secure 
readiness  now,  by  settling  with  the  Father  of 
mercies  through  our  surety  Jesus.  Attend  to  it 
at  once,  whether  you  live  longer  or  shorter.  The 
Lord  grant  you  comfortable  life  till  seventy  or 
eighty;  but  certainly  it  will  be  none  the  less 
comfortable  should  you  bear  all  the  while  the 
Policy  of  Heaven's  Life  Assurance  on  your  heart. 
Think  of  these  two  things  and,  if  not  already 
done,  set  right  now  the  dearest  brother  that  ever 
was. 

Yours  ever  and  affectionately, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


After  finishing  this  letter.  Dr.  Green  learned 
that  his  youngest  sister,  to  whom  he  last  wrote 
on  the  17th  of  July,  had  died  on  the  7th  of  Sep- 
tember. The  way  the  tidings  affected  him,  and 
the  way  he  desired  the  chastening  might  be 
endured  by  his  sisters  and  brothers,  appear  in 
the  following  letters  written  the  next  day. 


284  Thanksgiving  amidst  sorrotv.         [A.  D.  1869. 

To  HIS  Sisters  and  Brothers. 

Manepy,  November  (),  1869. 

....  We  must  rejoice  for  her.  But  who 
shall  fill  the  void  .f*  Assuredly  Jesus.  He  is  our 
Elder  Brother.  "  A  brother  is  born  for  adversity." 
In  sorrrow's  night  the  promises,  as  stars,  glisten. 
I  feel  anguish,  but,  more  still,  thanksgiving. 
Thanksgiving  for  the  preciousness  of  Christ. 
Now  the  heart  more  fully  appreciates  His  work.  .  . 
We  are  constrained  to  give  thanks  for  our  Father's 
goodness,  for  all  the  way  of  dear  Lydia's  beautiful 
life  and  for  such  an  appropriate  ending.  Blessed 
be  God  for  upwards,  of  forty  years  together,  an 
unbroken  band,  and  for  the  hope  of  an  eternity 
in  glory.  God  grant  none  of  us  may  "despise  the 
chastening,"  but  all  so  use  it  that  it  shall  "yield 
the  peaceable  fruits  of  righteousness."  My  heart's 
desire  and  prayer  for  the  circle  is,  that  each  may 
be  saved,  that  none  may  be  so  mistaken  as  to 
neglect  the  great  salvation.  If  deferred,  ages  of 
remorse  may  never  reach  it.  Lord,  seal  on  our 
hearts  this  verity,  ''Now  is  the  day  of  salvation." 

I  should  much  rejoice  to  be  with  you  in  these 
days  of  sorrow.  In  providence,  however,  we  are 
sundered;  but  we  can  by  faith  meet  at  the  throne 
of  grace  and  aid  each  other  by  our  prayers  through 
the  all-prevalent  Name.  Be  assured  I  should 
most  gladly  close  up  here  and  go  to  be  with  you. 
But  I  know  you  would  say  to  me,  "Stay,"  could 
you  on  the  spot  look  over  the  work  we  have  in 
hand.  While  all  may  be  in  the  Lord's  work  here 
or  there,  the  force  detailed  by  so  large  a  family  is 


Aetat.  47.]  ^' First  the  kingdom..'"  2S5 


but  a  fragment.  We  could  not  expect  the  Mas- 
ter's blessing  to  rest  on  any  arrangement  in  which 
His  cause  was  put  second.  "First  the  kingdom," 
afterwards  our  convenience.  .  .  ,  Surely  Mission- 
ary interest  should  be  as  dear  as  any  social  or 
pecuniary  interest.  Dearest  spot  of  earth  though 
it  be,  yet  Green  Hill  had  better  be  relinquished 
than  our  mite  in  the  Foreign  Missionary  work  be 
withdrawn.  This  work  will  interest  us  lonor  after 
the  dearest  scenes  of  earth  have  lost  their  hold 
on  our  affections.  It  is,  I  feel,  self-denial  to 
remain,  apart;  but  let  us  but  once  settle  it  as  ex- 
pedient for  Christ's  sake,  and  His  love  will  make 
us  happier,  though  afar  from  each  other,  than 
could  daily  and  familiar  intercourse  held  in  pre- 
ference to  His  call. 

Even  should  health  be  spared,  it  would  be  wise 
in  one  here  from  U.  S.  A.  to  return  after,  say, 
twelve  years,  or  at  the  most  fifteen  years,  to  recruit 
mentally  at  least.  God  willing,  I  hope  to  be  with 
you,  should  we  all  be  spared,  in  five  or  eight 
years  from  this  time.  I  suspect  five  years,  and 
perhaps  three,  may  be  the  limit  of  health  for  us 
here.  Don't  pray  for  us  that  we  may  stay  nor  that 
we  come  home,  but  that  we  may  live  to  God's 
glory,  and  prosper  in  His  work.  That  is  the 
desideratum  for  each  of  us.  .  .  . 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Manepy,  November  9,  1869. 

My  Dear  Sister  Mary: 

....  We  have  now  begun  to  pass  over 
the  river,  the  brink  of  which  we  have  as  an  un- 


286  Additional  grant-in-aid.  [A.  D.  1869. 

broken  band  been  long  nearing.  The  youngest  sis- 
ter first;  who  of  us  next?  Some  one  must  be  the 
last,  the  one  to  say  Good  Bye  to  nine.  .  .  .  Hap- 
pier they  who  earlier  go.  Best  for  each  the  Lord's 
appointed  time.  I  rejoice  over  our  beloved  one 
as  now  with  "the  just  made  perfect."  Our  Father 
graciously  grant  that  none  be  called  unready.  .  .  . 
Her  memory  is  blessed.  Thanks  be  to  God  for 
Jesus  Christ.  Such  an  affliction  emphasizes  His 
value.  Ever  precious  Saviour,  most  precious  in 
sorrow.  Victor  over  Death.  .  .  .  May  the  Com- 
forter Himself  daily  solace  you.  ...  It  seems 
easier  to  go  now;  the  better  land  seems  nearer. 
Oh  that  all  the  dear  "ten  circle"  may  meet  there 
and  dwell  there  together  and  with  Christ  forever. 

Affectionately,  ' 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

The  last  week  in  December,  Dr.  Green  learned 
from  Dr.  Charsley,  of  Colombo,  "that  an  addi- 
tional hundred  pounds"  would  be  granted  by  the 
Government  the  coming  year  in  aid  of  the  Med- 
ical Department  of  the  American  Ceylon  Mission. 
At  first  the  grant-in-aid  was  fifty  pounds  and  this 
was  the  second  time  it  had  been  doubled.  It  was 
certainly  an  encouraging  appreciation  of  the 
public  benefit  of  his  labors,  that  the  Government 
should  voluntarily  appropriate  a  thousand  dollars 
annually    to    his  use  in    vernacular  work,    while 


Aetat.  47.]  Interest  shown  by  friends.  287 


it  was  about  starting    a    Medical  School    to    be 
taught  in  English. 

Mr.  Murdock  wrote  that  he  was  ^oino-  to  Eno-- 
land  and  would  do  what  he  could  there  to  assist 
him.  To  obtain  the  best  books,  permission  to 
translate  them,  cuts  to  illustrate  them,  'and  funds 
to  publish  them,  involved  a  great  deal  of  corres- 
pondence; the  voluntary  agency  of  friends  of  his 
enterprise  was  therefore  very  grateful.  Dr.  Lowe 
had  written,  before  he  left  India  for  Great  Britain, 
that  he  would  not  rest  till  he  obtained  assistance 
for  him;  and  how  well  he  succeeded  will  appear 
in  a  letter  published  in  the  Medical  Missionary 
Journal  of  February,  1870. 


Dr.  Lowe  to  Dr.  Thomson. 

"  PoRTOBELLO,  Feb.  II,  1870. 

"My  Dear  Burns  Thomson: 

...  "All  this  ought  to  call  forth  praise  and 
thanksgiving  to  God.  It  shows  usthat  the  exper- 
iment we  attempted  in  much  fear  and  trembling 
has,  with  God's  blessing,  proved  a  success. 

"The  great  business  of  the  European  Medical 
Missionary  is  to  train  up  a  native  agency.  These 
native  medical  evangelists,  when  well  selected 
and  trained,  are  the  men  who  can  do  the  work. 
They  know  the  people,  their  social  habits,  their 


288  Traitiifig  of  native  youth.  [A.  D.  1870. 

peculiar  weaknesses,  their  prejudices  better  than 
the  cleverest  European  ever  can;  they  multiply 
the  power  and  influence  of  the  European  medical 
missionary,  and  they,  by  and  by,  will  be  able  to 
fill  his  place. 

..."  How  hopefully  and  prayerfully  should  we 
watch  these  young  men,  and  the  devoted  band  of 
students,  who  have  lately  and  so  successfully 
finished  their  course  of  study  under  our  dear 
friend.  Dr.  Paterson,  of  Madras.  Dr.  Scudder,  of 
Arcot,  and  Dr.  Green,  of  Jaffna,  both  medical 
missionaries  connected  with  the  American  Mis- 
sionary Society,  have  likewise  a  number  of  young- 
men  in  course  of  training;  but  Dr.  Green,  in  view 
of  this  important  department,  has  done,  and  is  at 
present  engaged  in  sending  to  all,  a  most  valuable, 
special  benefit. 

"The  native  youths  we  have  trained,  or  may 
yet  train,  for  medical  missionary  service  require 
for  their  proper  equipment  our  standard  practical 
medical  and  surgical  works  translated  for  them 
and  published  in  the  vernacular.  Dr.  Green  has 
set  himself  to  this  task;  and  without  the  aid  of 
the  manuscripts  of  his  translations  of  Gray  s  Anat- 
omy and  Druitt's  Surgery,  which  h*e  kindly  lent 
me  for  the  use  of  my  students,  I  question  if  the 
experiment  of  training  my  native  youths  would 
have  turned  out  so  successfully.  .  .  .  With  aid 
from  the  American  Missionary  Society,  and  other 
sources,  Dr.  Green  has  prepared  a  series  of  medi- 
cal and  surgical  works  in  the  vernacular.  Works 
on  Anatomy,  Surgery,  Midwifery,  and  Physiology 
are  already  published,  and  Manuscripts  on  Practice 


Aetat.  47.]  Securing  of  cuts.  289 


of  Physic,  Materia  Medica,  etc.,  etc.,  are  ready 
for  the  press.  The  work  on  Practice  of  Physic  is 
a  translation  of  the  last  edition  (1865)  of  Hoopei'-'s 
Physicians  Vade  Mecttnt;  the  translation  is  com- 
pleted and  is  ready  for  the  printer.  .  .  .  These 
illustrations,  useful  in  English,  are  absoltLtely  nec- 
essary in  a  translation.  ...  I  wrote  to  the  editor 
at  once,  and  to-day  received  the  following  reply: 

"  '  Mr.  Renshaw,  the  chief  proprietor  and  virtual 
publisher  of  Hooper  s  Vade  Mecum,  has  himself 
no  objection  to  the  proposed  translation,  nor  does 
he  apprehend  any  on  the  part  of  his  partners. 
But  before  applying  to  them  he  says  that  the 
arrangement  for  the  wood  cuts  must  be  definitely 
made.  He  authorizes  me  to  say  that  electrotypes, 
properly  mounted  on  wood,  will  be  furnished  for 
5s.  apiece.  I  need  not  add  that  I  have  no  feeling 
in  the  matter  beyond  a  wish  that  my  work  on 
Hooper's  Vade  Mecum  should  become  as  exten- 
sively useful  as  possible.' 

"Now,  dear  friend,  the  cuts  must  be  secured. 
Dr.  Green's  service  is  entirely  a  labor  of  love,  in 
which,  as  medical  missionaries  and  as  friends  of 
medical  missions,  we  ought  to  feel  the  deepest 
interest;  it  is  a  service  more  directly  perhaps  ben- 
efitting us  medical  missionaries  than  any  merely 
missionary  society.  .  ,  .  Shall  I  write  to  him,  on 
behalf  of  yourself  and  your  many  generous  friends, 
that  electrotypes  of  the  cuts  are  ordered,  and  will 
be  sent  out  free  of  all  expense  .f*  This  would  in- 
deed strengtherf^hands  and  tfee  encourage  the  heart 
of  our  dear  hard-working  American  brother.  Dr. 
Green.  One  hundred  and  three  electrotypes  at 
28 


290  Success  in  ansiver  to praye?'.  [A.  D.  1870. 

5s.  each  is  ^25,  15s.  ..  .  Will  you  just  add  a 
postscript  to  this  to  let  your  constituents  know 
what  you  have  recommended. 

"Ever  yours  affectionately, 

John  Lowe. 


"(Believing  as  I  do  in  the  importance  of  the 
object,  it  was  impossible  to  resist  Dr.  Lowe's 
urgent  appeal,  and  so  he  carried  with  him  instruc- 
tions to  order  plates. 

W.  B.  Thomson.)" 


Dr.  Lowe  sent  a  periodical,  containing  an 
announcement  of  his  success,  which  reached  Dr. 
Green  on  the  28th  of  March,  but  was  not  read 
till  about  a  week  later;  so  that  the  latter  said, 
"  This  answer  to  prayer  was  several  days  under 
hand  before  I  knew  it." 

This  year  "the  Colonial  Surgeon  for  the 
Province,  highly  reputed  as  a  botanist,  kindly 
gave  the  Class  weekly  teaching  on  indigenous 
herbs."  Besides  his  other  work.  Dr.  Green  found 
an  average  of  three  pages  a  day  in  the  work  of 
translation  was  enough  for  his  strength.  He  sent 
home  for  electrotypes  of  the  two  cuts  needed  to  il- 
lustrate Spectrum  Analysis  and  Bessemer's  Steel 


Aetat.  47.  His  children. 


291 


Process,  saying,  "  Every  ray  of  light  one  can 
command  should  be  brought  to  bear  in  introduc- 
ing these  matters  to  the  Tamils." 

o 

Dr.  Green  had  now  three  daughters.  In  various 
letters  he  afforded  glimpses  of  his  way  with  them, 
in  such  remarks  as  these  to  his  brother  Oliver: 

"I  hope  in  1877,  if  not  before,  to  see  the  two 
groups,  yours  and  mine,  brought  acquainted  with 
each  other.  May  we  be  enabled  to  imitate  our 
sire  in  fostering  in  them  union  and  liberality.  I 
have  only  recently,  aided  by  the  IVihiess,  grasped 
the  whole  of  that  text  which,  so  comfortingly  to  a 
Christian  parent,  includes  his  children:  'Believe 
on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  thou  shalt  be  saved 
and  thy  house.'  The  Lord  increase  our  faith,  and 
make  it  daily  tell  directly  upon  the  salvation  of 
our  children.  .  .  .  The  children  are  developing 
hopefully.  We  don't  urge  them  to  study,  only 
guide.  We  drive  out  with  them  almost  every 
evening  a  little  before  sunset.  Occasionally, 
having  reached  a  retired  spot,  I  alight  with  them 
to  wander  about  for  shells  or  flowers.  I  take  a 
short  canter  in  the  saddle  each  morning,  and  on 
return  let  each  of  the  three  take  a  turn  round  the 
yard. — Cement  the  branches  of  the  Green  family 
all  you  can  together.  I  deprecate  my  children 
growing  up  estranged  from  those  of  my  beloved 
brothers. —  I  would  rather  my  children  knew  'the 


2g2 


His  method  wilh  them.  [A.  D.  1870. 


three  R's'  well,  with  sound  bodies,  than  that  they 
were  accompHshed  in  Hterature  with  feeble  frames. 
Allow  each  child  to  develop  on  its  own  peculiar 
plan.  Each  character  is  one  per  se;  there  should 
be  no  arbitrary  standard,  and  no  rules  laid  down 
before  they  are  found  necessary.  Study  a  child 
and  see  first  what  needs  repression,  what  encour- 
agement, then  with  light  the  rules  can  be  adopted. 
Praised  be  the  Lord  for  the  union  that  has  ever 
prevailed  among  the  dear  'ten  circle,'  and  for 
putting  it  into  the  heart  of  our  beloved  sire  to  so 
frequently  advise  us,  'Children  be  united.'  My 
love  for  the  dear  'ten  circle'  knows  no  wane.  Our 
love  should  strengthen  as  we  near  the  ocean  of 
eternity,  as  rivers'  mouths  broaden  and  deepen  in 
nearing  the  sea." 


Jaffna,  Ceylon, y?/^^  4,  1870. 

My  Dear  Brother  William: 

I  have  to-day  received  the  nice  spectacles 
you  so  kindly  sent  me.  They  seem  to  be  exactly 
what  I  shall  first  need  to  w^ear.  ...  I  thank  you 
very  much  for  such  a  valuable  article,  and  for  the 
fraternal  love  that  prompted  the  gift. 

I  am  much  concerned  to  learn  of  your  poor 
health.  I  pray  that  the  lengthening  of  your  days 
may  prove  to  be  for  the  eternal  tranquility  of  your 


Aetat.  47.1  Letter  to  his  brother  Wiliiam.  293 


soul.  I  yearn  that  you  should  believe  that  "All 
Scripture  is  given  by  inspiration  of  God,"  and  that 
you  should  daily  use  it  and  find  it  "profitable,  for 
instruction  in  righteousness."  May  the  blessing 
of  the  Spirit  so  rest  upon  your  prayerful  study  of 
the  Word,  that  you  shall  indeed  become  a  "  man 
of  God,  perfect  and  furnished  to  good  works." 
Rest,  my  dear  brother,  all  your  cares,  all  your 
concerns,  temporal  and  eternal,  on  the  infallible 
Jesus,  the  "  Friend  above  all  others." 

It  would  be  a  great  gratification  to  me  to  see 
you  frequently,  and  to  do  aught  I  might  personally 
for  your  comfort  and  happiness.  But  you  need 
not  me.  Earthly  friends  cluster  around  you,  and 
the  best  Friend  watches  over  you.  Believe  with 
all  your  heart  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  be 
saved;  and  when  you  leave,  it  will  be  with  assur- 
ance of  a  glorious  awakening,  and  we  'shall  all 
have  comfort  regarding  you,  and  hope  to  meet 
again.  The  old  original  arrangement,  "  Do  and 
live,"  broke  down.  It  is  now,  "  Believe  and  live." 
Nothing  keeps  us  from  meeting  this  condition  but 
rebellion.  We  must  submit,  must  meet  the  Lord 
on  his  own  terms. 

.  .  .  Love  from  all  to  you  and  yours, 

Ever  and  affectionately,  your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


Dr.  Lowe  spoke  of  the  Vade  Mecum  as  ready 
^or  the  printer.     He  may  have  said  this  from  what 


294  Difficulties  of  re7)ision.  [A.D.  1870. 

he  knew  of  Dr.  Green's  calculations  and  expecta- 
tions; but  probably  he  mistook  the  readiness  of  it 
for  the  printer  to  begin  upon  for  the  readiness  of 
the  whole  translation. 

Though  Dr.  Green  engaged  his  graduates  and 
students  in  the  work  of  translation,  he  was  prof- 
ited less  by  their  work  than  they  were;  they  were 
embarrassed  by  insufficient  knowledge  of  Eng- 
lish to  get  always  the  author's  meaning,  and  by 
too  little  experience  in  translating  to  Tamilize 
always  well  what  they  did  correctly  apprehend  of 
the  English.  As  translators  and  copyists,  how- 
ever, they  were  of  great  use  to  him.  His  revision 
of  a  single  work  will  show  how  largely  their  trans- 
lations became  his  own  before  they  were  ready 
for  the  press. 

By  the  12th  of  April,  1869,  if  not  earlier,  Dr. 
Green  had  begun  the  revision  of  the  Physician's 
Vade  Mecum — a  close  printed  duodecimo  of  791 
pages.  On  the  24th  he  said,  "The  translation 
requires  so  much  alteration  that  it  amounts  to 
ploughing  one's  way,  rather  than  a  walk  of  survey 
over  the  field."  On  the  3d  of  August  he  said, 
"It  is  the  hardest  revision  I  have  yet  grappled; 
the  translation  is  bad  and  the  subject  obstinate, 
but  I  am  well  into  the  second  chapter,  and  hope 
by  prayer  and  pains  to  gradually  work  through. 
I  can  only  hope  to  go  on  with  it  by  availing  o^ 


Aetat.  47.]      Need  of  both  Tamil  and  English  translators.     295 

the  best  helps  attainable.  I  am  having  multi- 
plied by  a  copyist  a  little  paper  on  the  Tamilizing 
of  English  words.  I  wish  to  send  it  to  some  ten 
or  dozen  individuals,  in  hope  to  influence  aright 
this  matter,  which  assumes  importance  now  the 
push  is  great  to  put  the  Western  sciences  into 
this  magnificent  language."  In  January,  1870, 
he'wrote:  "My  disappointment  as  to  Evarts'  aid 
is  relieved  by  the  fact  that  the  case  demonstrates 
that  NO  Tamil  man  can  do  this  work.  Dr. 
Evarts'  translation  is  generally  the  English  words 
in  grammatical  Tamil.  What  is  wanted  is  the 
idea  in  idiomatic  Tamil.  Through  his  translation 
one  can  see  the  Englishman;  one  should  see  only 
the  Tamilian."  In  April  he  said,  "The  only  path 
to  the  real  accomplishment  of  our  series  is  that  of 
persistent  personal  endeavor.  Experience  de- 
monstrates that  both  languages  must  be  represent- 
ed, each  by  its  native,  in  order  to  a  satisfactory 
result;  and  that  my  expectation  that  Western 
ideas  can  be  transplanted  in  their  integrity  by 
even  the  most  accomplished  Tamilian  is  illusory. 
I  have  to  do  over  about  nine  tenths  of  all  the 
translation  prepared  for  my  revision  by  the  em- 
ployees." Not  till  September,  1870,  was  he  able 
to  say,  "I  am  feeling  quite  relieved  by  the  com- 
pletion of  the  version  (or  rather  re-translation, 
t^ery  few  sentences  have  escaped  re-translation)  of 


296  Test  of  translation. 


[A.  D.  1870. 


the  Physician's  Vade  Mecum."  Thus  the  revi- 
sion of  this  book  consumed  about  fifteen  months. 
In  the  midst  of  the  work  he  had  a  long  test  para- 
graph translated  by  Dr.  Evarts,  and  also  by  Mr. 
Nevins,  the  Munshi,  "two  of  the  best  educated 
and  endowed  men"  in  the  community;  also  by  Dr. 
Paul;  and  with  Tamil  help  he  translated  it  him- 
self. These  four  versions  he  sent  numbered,  but 
without  the  names  of  the  translators,  to  several 
good  scholars  for  their  preference.  Mr.  Howland 
gave  his  decided  preference  to  that  marked  "2," 
for  "accuracy  and  simplicity;"  so  did  Mr.  ApketelL 
who  "could  have  no  clue"  to  Mr.  Howland's  pref- 
erence ;  which  was  the  number  of  his  own  trans- 
lation wrought  out  with  Tamil  help.  "These 
four  versions,"  said  he,  "  I  keep  to  show  in  proof 
of  the  necessity,  in  the  work  of  translating  West- 
ern science,  of  having  the  English  and  the  Tamil 
represented  in  the  process,  by  each  its  own  native- 
born  worker." 

Manepy,  Friday,  16  September,  1870. 

My  Dear  Sisters  and  Brothers: 

I  am  glad,  on  this  ninth  anniversary  of  our 
reunion,  to  be  permitted  to  report  myself  and 
mine  to.  you,  as  all  well  and  prospering. 

Two  of  the  happy  eleven,  gathered   under  our 
common  roof-tree,  have  since  that  reunion  been 


Aetat.  48.]  A  pidiire  of  home.  297 

promoted  to  the  undying  world;  leaving  us  a 
good  hope  that  they  are  blessed. 

This  is  a  bright  cool  morning  at  Manepy.  The 
parrots  and  the  squirrels  make  music — one  seems 
to  live  in  a  Zoological  Garden.  A  pleasant  saddle 
ride  of  a  mile  out  and  back,  was  followed  by  a 
turn  about  the  grounds,  on  Browny,  with  M.  R.  G. 
in  front  of  me ;  immediately  on  her  dismouting, 
J.  E.  G,  and  L.  M.  G.  took  each  her  ordinary  ride, 
the  hostler,  Aiyan,  leading  the  old  pony.  Since 
that  they  have  been  over  to  the  office,  to  see  Papa, 
bringing  each,  some  little  gift  of  flowers  picked 
by  the  way. 

They  brought  a  number  of  the  scarlet  rain 
spiders,  which  I  advised  them  to  give  to  their 
mother  for  preservation,  to  send  to  friends  in 
America. 

If  health  and  life  be  spared,  I  hope  in  about 
\owx  years,  to  be  with  you  again ;  before  that  hav- 
ing completed  the  foundation  of  a  correct  medical 
system,  for  the  enlightenment  of  the  darkened 
and  degraded  millions. 

"  Let  us  continue  daily  prayer  for  each  other, 
that  each  may  steadily  grow  in  usefulness  and  in 
meetness  "for  the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in 
light." 

With  esteem  and  affection,  tender  and  true,  I 
remain  as  ever,  •  i 

Your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 


187O-1873:    ^T.  48-51, 


V/TORE  than  twelve  years  had  now  passed  since 
Dr.  Green  prepared  some  vernacular  lessons 
on  Physiology  and  Hygiene  for  the  School-books 
published  by  the  Christian  School-book  Society 
of  Southern  India.  The  usefulness  of  those  les- 
sons may  be  inferred  from  a  published  extract,  in 
which,  however,  he  is  not  mentioned.  "  Dr.  Mur- 
dock,  w^ho,  like  Dr.  Watts'  sun,  '  never  tires  nor 
stops  to  rest,  as  round  the  world  he  goes,'  has 
branch  Societies  all  over  the  Continent,  which  he 
vivifies  by  his  appearance  every  year,  and  every 
year  makes  some  fresh  inroad  on  native  ignorance 
and  European  indifference.  An  incarnation  of 
modesty,  he  seems  never  to. estimate  the  immense 
value  of  the  work  he  is  doing;  but  every  Mission- 
ary in  India  cherishes  a  name  with  which  his 
efforts  on  behalf  of  vernacular  literature  have 
made  the  Goverments  of  Ceylon  and  India  very 
familiar."  He  seems  to  have  put  the  highest 
estimate  on  the  efforts  of  Dr.  Green  to  introduce 
Christianity  and  Western  science  into  the  hearts 


Aetat.  48.]  '''■Rays  of  cheer T  299 

and  minds  of  the  Tamils.  Soon  after  the  begin- 
ning of  this  ninth  year  of  Dr.  Green's  second  term, 
Dr.  Murdock  wrote:  "The  Httle  popular  account 
in  Tamil  of  The  House  I  Live  In  is  nearly  out  of 
print.  Are  there  any  changes  you  would  recom- 
mend in  a  second  edition.'^  As  you  are  aware,  the 
general  complaint  against  the  Jaffna  Tamil  is  that 
it  is  too  high.  I  have  not  heard  this  complaint 
made  of  your  little  work,  but  if  time  permit  you 
might  glance  over  it  to  see  whether  any  word 
might  be  simphfied." 

To  several  of  his  brother  missionaries  on  a  fur- 
lough, Dr.  Green  wrote  in  January:  "At  a  dark 
hour  in  the  Medical  Department  three  rays  of 
cheer.  Dr.  Ramapillai,  the  head  of  regular  indig- 
enous practice  in  the  Province,  wishes  his  son  to 
enter  the  Medical  Class.  The  nephew  of  Dr. 
Layambar  (and  cousin  of  his  successor),  the  first 
practitioner  in  the  old  line  for  women's  ailments? 
wishes  to  join  the  Class;  paying  down  three  pounds 
to  meet  the  outfit  for  himself  at  the  close  of  the 
course.  Mr.  Morris,  Government  Agent  of  the 
Eastern  Province,  writes  asking  about  Medical 
books  in  Tamil,  with  the  view  of  asking  Govern- 
ment to  purchase  for  distribution  among  the  people 
at  a  low  rate."  The  "dark  hour"  was  the  temp- 
tation on  the  part  of  the  best  educated  natives  to 
go  to  the  new  medical  school  at  Colombo,  where 


300  Death  of  his  brother  WilUam.  [A.  D.  1871,. 

they  could  pursue  their  course  of  study  in  English, 
and  thus  have  a  better  prospect  of  lucrative 
positions  under  Government  after  graduation. 

The  new  Class,  which  began  the  ist  of  February, 
numbered  ten,  of  whom  none  were  yet  professing 
Christians,  though,  two  were  inclined  to  make 
profession.  There  had  been  professing  Christians 
in  every  previous  Class,  and  one  religious  exercise 
with  them  daily  in  the  afternoon.  With  this  Class, 
however,  the  teachers  had  a  Bible  exercise  at  the 
opening  of  both  the  morning  and  the  afternoon 
session.  In  the  course  of  the  year  one  of  them 
was  received  into  the  church. 

With  reference  to  his  oldest  brother.  Dr.  Green 
wrote:  "To  bring  one  to  the  Saviour  by  sickness 
and  weakness  would  be  a  more  valuable  answer  to 
prayer,  than  to  recover  such  an  one  to  bodily  vigor 
to  pursue  a  course  of  worldliness;"  and  when  he 
heard  of  his  brother's  death,  he  rejoiced  greatly 
that  he  was  "one  reconciled  to  the  Heavenly 
Father  through  the  great  Mediator." 

This  new  bereavement  seems  to  have  empha- 
sized the  desire  of  his  brothers  and  sisters,  that  he 
should  return  and  dwell  with  them.  To  one  he 
answered:  "Your  very  kind  offer  of  a  home  for 
me  and  mine  touches  my  heart.  It  reminds  me 
of  the  kindness  of  our  Great  Elder  Brother  who 
has  gone  'to  prepare  a  place  for  us.'"     To  another 


Aetat.  48.1  Perseverance. 


301 


he  replied:  "The  more  I  see  the  impossibih'ty  of 
a  pure  literature  for  this  people,  without  Western 
aid,  the  more  it  grows  upon  me  that  so  long  as  1 
can  work,  whether  now  or  after  recruiting,  1  must 
work  for  the  Tamils." 

Notwithstanding  the  slowness  of  the  press,  and 
the  partial  efficiency  of  his  assistants,  Dr.  Green 
persevered,  subjecting  every  portion  of  manuscript 
to  retranslation  where  needed,  to  criticism,  to 
comparison,  to  inspection  of  copy,  before  passing 
it  to  the  printer.  A  little  work  for  the  benefit  of 
mothers  was  prepared  in  Tamil  this  year  and  put 
to  press.  The  Doctor  restricted  his  attendance 
at  the  Dispensary  to  twice  a  day,  except  when 
cases  were  urgent ;  but  the  Dispensary  was  kept 
open  every  day  in  the  week  and  every  hour  of  the 
day  and  night,  serving  the  three-fold  object  of 
religious  instruction,  prescription  and  medicine, 
and  the  practical  training  of  the  graduates  in 
charge, — each  of  those  selected  holding  his  place 
for  a  year. 

From   Dr.   Murdoch. 

Madras,  y?/;^^,  29,   1871. 

Dear  Dr.  Green: 

...   When  passing  through   Madura  and 
Dindigul   I  tried  to    ascertain    the    feeling    with 
29 


302  Small  popular  works.  [A.  D.  1871. 

regard  to  Medical  Text  Books  in  the  vernacular. 
Dr.  Palmer  seemed  to  object  chiefly  to  adopting 
terms  from  the  Sanskrit.  He  wished  them  trans- 
ferred, if  there  are  no  vernacular  words.  Mr. 
Chester  went  farther,  so  far  as  I  can  judge.  He 
thought  that  such  works  should  be  studied  only 
in  English;  that  those  who  mastered  them, in  the 
vernacular  would  be  ten  years  behind  those  who 
knew  English.  I  replied  that  they  would  be  at 
least  a  thousand  years  in  advance  of  the  native 
doctors.  Mr.  Chester  has  an  idea  that  Dr.  Bal- 
four— now  acting,  I  believe,  for  Dr.  Smith — takes 
the  same  view,  and  discourages  the  vernacular. 
As  a  set-o£f  look  at  Bengal  and  North  India,  where 
there  have  been  vernacular  Classes  for  many  years. 
However,  Mr.  Chester  spoke  highly  of  The  Mother 
and  Child.  He  thought  such  popular  works 
might  be  very  useful. 

Yours  affectionately, 

J.  Murdoch. 

Sec'y.  Chris.  Ver.  Ed.  Society. 

Dr.  Green  wrote:  "In  regard  to  popularizing 
medicine,  I  have  written  and  put  into  Tamil  three 
little  pamphlets  for  the  Christian  Vernacular 
Society;  The  Soul's  Abode,  The  Mother  and 
Child, — a  tract  which  is  now  being  struck  off  in  an 
edition  of  three  thousand,  and  which  will  comfort 
myriads,  I  hope, —  and  Domestic  Medicine. 


Aetat.  49.]  Regarded  as  an  authority.  303 

"  My  main  work  has  been  on  books  strictly 
scientific  and  largely  technical.  This  is  pioneer 
work  and  most  important  work  and  will  tell 
towards  the  death  of  superstition." 

In  both  ths  lighter  and  the  heavier  line  of  work. 
Dr.  Green  had  already  exerted  a  wide  influence. 
He  was  regarded  as  a  leader  in  the  creation  of 
science  in  the  Tamil  language.  He  was  consulted 
by  the  Professor  of  Vernacular  Literature  in  the 
Presidency  College  of  Madras  for  his  views  upon 
the  introduction  of  Science  into  Tamil.  Recent 
documents,  printed  at  Calcutta,  on  the  subject  of 
Terms,  w^ere  sent  to  him  for  perusal. 

Presidency  College,  Madras,  Oct.  22,  187 1. 

Sir: 

The  accompanying  papers  are  sent  to  me 
by  the  Director  of  Public  Instruction,  Madras, 
asking  for  my  opinion  regarding  the  rules  to  be 
adopted  for  the  rendering  of  technical  and  scien- 
tific terms  on  a  uniform  system. 

He  also  leaves  me  the  option  of  consulting  any 
friend  whom  I  may  consider  qualified  to  pass  an 
opinion  on  the  matter. 

Though  a  stranger,  I  have  heard  from  various 
quarters  of  your  professional  and  scientific  skill, 
and  I  firmly  believe  that  you  are  an  authority 
upon   philosophical    and    scientific    questions    of 


304  Extended  inte7-est  in  his  enterprise.  [A.  D.  1871. 

this  nature;  and  therefore  I  have  ventured  to  ask 
your  valuable  opinion  on  the  subject,  which  will 
be  forwarded  in  original  to  the  Director. 

I  take  this  opportunity  also  to  make  your 
acquaintance,  of  which  1  shall  ever  be  proud. 

1  beg  to  remain,  Sir,  yours  ever  faithfully, 

D.  Sashilugar, 
Professor  of  Vernacular  Literature. 

To  S.  F.  Green,  Esquire,  M.  D.,  etc ,  etc.,  etc., 
Jaffna. 


Communications  from  men  of  experience  were 
of  such  a  nature  as  to  make  Dr.  Green  feel  con- 
firmed in  the  wisdom  of  his  course  and  the  value 
of  his  productions.  He  rejoiced  that  the  subjects 
upon  which  he  had  been  so  earnest,  had  excited 
interest  in  Calcutta  and  in  Madras,  and  regarded 
this  as  an  aid  in  arresting  the  attention  of  Educa- 
tors generally. 

Having  been  nine  years  of  his  second  term  in 
the  field,  and  having  come  to  a  condition  which 
would  soon  require  a  change  of  climate,  he  began 
to  plan  for  his  return  to  America.  The  narrative 
may  be  gathered  from  his  own  pen,  in  letters  to 
brothers  and  sisters. 


Aetat.  49.1  Preparing  to  leave.  305 


Nov.  4. — I  am  busy  in  fastening  the  loose 
ends  of  the  various  strings  I  have  been  pulling,  or 
spinning,  these  few  years  back.  I  am  drawing 
off  full  directions  as  to  the  completion  of  the  sev- 
eral volumes,  in  hand,  but  (through  the  extreme 
dilatoriness  of  a  press  which  has  a  virtual  monop- 
oly) still  unfinished.  The  heaviest  task  remaining 
is  the  translation  of  two  hundred  pages  or  so  of 
the  Chemistry.  I  have  just  finished  the  prefaces 
of  the  Physician  s  Vade  Mecunt,  the  Anatomy,  the 
Physiology,  (cuts  etc.),  and  the  Chemistry  in  diglot. 
I  have  composed  a  prayer  to  put  in  at  the  end  of 
each,  should  space  allow;  each  specifically  fitted  to 
the  subject  matter  of  the  volume.  These  I  have  to 
translate.  They  are  to  sound  the  name  of  Jesus 
out  among  the  brazen  crew  of  imps  and  idols 
thrust  in  by  Satan  to  catch  the  worship  of  this 
people. 

Dec.  18. —  If  S.  F.  G.  is  to  be  the  /(S;.?/ American 
physician  here,  he  may  have  to  stay  on  yet  awhile 
longer;  for  I  seriously  doubt  whether,  if  willing 
and  able  to  return,  the  A.  B..  C.  F.  M.  would 
send  him.  The  powers  seem  to  think  the  Medi- 
cal work  of  the  A.  C.  M.  ought  to  be  about  finished 
by  this  time.  I  wait  with  much  interest  to  hear 
from  Dr.  Murdoch;  to  learn  from  him  whether 
the  Madras  Government  may  be  expected  to  take 
up  the  work  of  providing  Vernacular  Medical 
Text  Books. 

Jan.    13,    1872. —  I    have    called    Vaittilingam, 
now  named  Chapman,  from  Government  service 


3o6  Completion  of  Chemistry.  [A.  D.  1872. 

to  the  Mission.  I  await  a  reply  from  Dr.  Charsley, 
releasing  him  for  my  sake.  When  Chapman  shall 
be  settled  with  me,  I  hope  to  carry  forward  the 
work  steadily.  I  wish  to  take  up  nothing  new, 
but  only  to  compact  and  complete  what  is  in  actual 
process. 

Jwu.  30. — Circumstances  are  now  unmistak- 
ably the  voice  of  the  Master,  bidding  us  tarry  yet 
awhile.  This  interest  is  too  important  to  be 
ignored. 

Feb.  19. — Dr.  Chapman  has  reached  Manepy, 
and  is  now  helping  me.  I  wish,  so  far  as  he 
proves  worthy,  to  work  him  into  my  place  before 
I  leave. 

May  13. —  It  seems  as  if  physicians  should  be 
among  the  most  grateful  of  God's  beneficiaries; 
for  none  more  than  they  can  realize  how  closely 
and  constantly  we  border  upon  agony,  and  how 
none  but  a  hand  as  strong  as  the  creative  can 
ward  off  the  harms  to  which  we  are  ever  exposed. 

July  4. — To-day's  Morning  Star  has  on  its 
English  page  a  long  and  fulsome  article  on  Dr. 
Charsley,  and  another  on  Dr.  Green.  I  regret  to 
see  this  little  paper,  which  could  be  and  ought  to 
be  so  useful,  abused  as  a  means  of  flattery  and 
personality. 

July  5. — You  will  rejoice  with  me  in  the  com- 
pletion   to-day    of   the    Chemistry.       The   son  of 


Aetat.  49. J  VVorkmg  Jojre.  307 


Vettivelu,  the  leading  indigenous  surgeon  of  the 
Province,  comes  this  morning  and  appHes  to  study 
medicine. 

July  24. — The  longer  I  stay  the  clearer  I  see 
the  wisdom  of  so  doing.  With  occasional  excep- 
tions I  am  able  to  do  an  effective  day's  work  daily, 
besides  keeping  a  hand  on  the  helm  of  the  Medical 
Department. 

Aug.  24. —  The  Anatomy  (8  vo.  pp.  838),  which 
has  been  on  hand  for  some  eight  years,  is  at  last 
through  the  press  and  in  the  hands  of  the  binders. 

Oct.  7. — The  new  Medical  Class  is  in  progress. 
Twenty  good  fellows.  There  were  over  fifty 
applicants.  I  hear  of  a  Goverment  call  for  sev- 
enty-five doctors. 

Oct.  8. — It  is  very  encouraging  to  see  eager- 
ness for  the  study  of  medicine, although  instruction 
is  given  in  Tamil,  and  the  Class  is  to  proceed  with 
little  if  any  foreign  guidance.  The  working  force 
in  the  Medical  Department  of  the  Mission  is  just 
now:  One  Supervisor,  a  member  of  the  last  Eng- 
lish Class;  two  Teachers,  graduates  of  the  Train- 
ing School,  and,  since,  of  the  Medical  School;  one 
Dispenser,  graduate,  of  the  first  Medical  Class  in 
the  Vernacular;  and  one  Writer,  member  of  the 
third  Vernacular  Medical  Class.  My  hope  is  that 
these,  with  slight  Missionary  oversight,  may  carry 
on  the  School  and  the  Dispensary  with  a  good 
degree  of  efficiency. 


3o8  Amount  of  fraiislation.  [A.  D.  1872- 

Nov.  5. — It  is  a  trial  next  to  death  to  leave  thus 
one's  chosen  work;  but  the  indications  are  unmis- 
takable; and  we  can  do  this,  or  can  die  even 
happily,  for  the  promise  is  of  grace  according  to 
the  day. 

Nov.  7. — All  things  in  the  Medical  Department 
seem  shaping  advantageously;  so  that  it  may  run 
well,  I  hope,  for  some  years — till  some  hand  shall 
reach  from  America  or  elsewhere  to  hold  the  tiller. 
Perhaps  the  young  Tamil  in  charge  may  grow  to 
it;  I  trust  he  will.  The  Lord  has  prospered  me 
to  produce  nearly  if  not  quite  three  thousand 
octavo  pages  in  Tamil,  which  will  effectually 
graft  Western  science,  in  several  of  its  branches^ 
upon  this  sturdy  Tamil  language.  One  very  great 
want  in  translation  is  a  pure  literature,  idiomatic, 
simple,  instructive.  For  half  the  work  of  produc- 
ing this,  at  least,  the  Foreigner  must  inevitably 
be  responsible. 


Eleventh  Anniversary. 
Manepy,  Monday  16,  Sept,,  1872. 
My  Dear  Sisters  and  Brothers: 

The  goodness  of  the  Lord  permits  me  to 
report  myself  and  mine  to  you  this  day,  as  every 
way  prospering.  I  am  in  the  midst  of  the  last  of 
three  Vocabularies,  which  I  hope  to  publish  in  one 
group  as  the  close  of  my  medical  book  work. 


Aetat.  50.]  Letter  to  his  sisters  and  brothers.  309 


Margaret  is  to  have  Miss  Agnew  to  spend  the 
day;  which  she  has  never  done  yet,  as  we  are  so 
near  to  her  station,  Oodooville.  The  children 
ai'e  abroad  about  the  ^rounds  this  cool  overcast 
morning.  Julia  I  left  riding  the  old  pony;  Lucy, 
gathering  up  palm  nuts  for  planting  to  sprout,  for 
arrowroot;  Mary  has  just  led  Nathan  to  the  ofifice, 
to  call  on  me  here  and  give  me  a  peacock  fiower. 

Letters  received  from  friends,  recently  passed 
throuo'h  Eno'land,  stir  in  them  a  o-ood  deal  of 
anticipation,  as  to  the  wonders  of  art  they  may 
ere  lon^  see. 

I  would  fain  magnify  the  Lord  with  you,  for  all 
his  wonderful  goodness  to  us  individually  and 
collectively. 

Eleven  years  hence,  several  of  us  yet  on  earth, 
may  be  privileged  to  mingle  this  strain  of  the 
family  choir,  in  the  "new  song"  before  the  throne. 
May  the  Holy  Spirit  possess  each  one  of  us  and 
thoroughly  dispossess  us  of  worldliness,  self-right- 
eousness and  every  evil  disposition;  making  us 
"meet  for  the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light." 

With  growing  affection, 

Your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


Jan.  16,  1873. — At  our  business  meeting  last 
Tuesday  the  Medical  Department  and  the  Mis- 
sion Post  Ofifice  were  transferred  from  Green  to 
Hastings.     For    two  or  three  days   I   have  been 


3XO  Closing  W07'k  in  Jaffna.  [A.  D.  1873. 


looking  over,  and  largely  filling  the  waste  basket 
with  documents  connected  with  the  Medical  De- 
partment for  the  two  decades  during  which  I  have 
been  privileged  to  have  charge  of  it.  I  am 
impressed  in  the  process  by  the  evidences  of  the 
loving-kindness  of  my  Master  in  vouchsafing  me 
so  much  consideration  and  kindness  from  rulers 
and  people.*.  ...  I  have  vocabulary  all  closed 
up  for  the  mail  in  five  parcels.  The  parcel  No.  i 
1  sent  this  morning  to  Nagarkovil,  and  send  one 
parcel  a  day  till  all  is  off.  When  I  hear  of  the 
safe  receipt  of  the  entire  manuscripts  my  work 
here  is  done. 

Jan.  31. —  Ninety-six  years  ago  to-day  was 
born  in  a  lowly  home  a  little  boy,  whom  fond 
parents  named  William  [E.  Green],  who  has 
passed  through  all  the  ages  of  human  .life  and  " 
been  garnered  'as  a  shock  of  corn  fully  ripe.' 
Still  there  are  years  lacking  to  fill  out  a  century, 
and  a  century  is  but  a  tithe  of  one  of  our  Lord's 
years.  Our  little  earth  has  all  this  while  sped  but 
a  little  arc  of  her  sweep  about  Alcyone.  If  these 
few  years  have  turned  for  us  each  with  so  much 
happiness  and  enjoyment,  what  may  we  not  look 
for  'in  Jesus'  for  the  'ages  to  come.'  Thanks  be 
to  God  for  boundless  progress  ever'  from  what  is 
good  to  what  is  better,  and  from  what  is  better  to 
what  is  better  still. 

*  Tt  is  to  be  regretted,  that  Dr.  Green,  prior  to  leaving 
for  America,  destroyed  an  immense  number  of  letters  and 
documents  received  from  divers  sources. 


Aetat.  50.]  Fro7n  Manepy  to  Colombo.  311 

March  6.  —  I  have  thought  I  would  like  all  our 
property,  and  whatever  may  have  been  willed  to 
us,  given  in  whole  or  in  part  to  found  a  Medical 
Professorship  in  Jaffna  College  (provided  such  a 
disposal  commends  itself  to  the  judgment  of  my 
sisters  and  brothers,)  in  case  we  should  all  pass 
from  earth  while  on  our  way  to  you. 


March  7. — We  expect  to  leave  Manepy,  im- 
mediately after  dinner,  for  the  Se^'endib,  and  to 
weigh  anchor  early  to-morrow  morning, — sleeping 
on  board  to-night. — I  showed  some  twenty-seven 
Medicos  over  the  cabins  and  the  engines,  furnish- 
inor  them  with  food  for  thouo-ht  for  months  to 
come. 


Colombo,  March  12. — I  had  my  first  letter 
from  Jaffna  this  morning,  sent  by  my  assistant 
Chapman — very  thankful  for  the  exhibition  of  the 
Serenclib. 


March  14. — I  have  written  to  the  brethren  of 
the  A.  C.  M.  once  round,  and  now  commence  the 
second  time  in  a  letter  to  Dr.  Spaulding. 


The  following  letter  from  Dr.  Loos,  Colonial 
Surgeon  at  Colombo,  indicates  his  estimate  of 
Dr.  Green's  work. 


312  Letter  J rom  Dr.  Loos.  [A.  D.  1873. 

Colombo,  March  27,  1873, 

My  Dear  Dr.  Green: 

...  I  am  grieved  that  sickness  has  pre- 
vented me  from  seeing  you.  I  should  have  been 
happy  to  take  you  round  our  hospital  and  show 
you  the  work  we  are  carrying  on — a  work  in  which 
we  are  humbly  imitating  you.  Medical  education 
in  Ceylon  is  deeply  indebted  to  you  and  your 
predecessors.  You  have  loosened  the  foundations 
of  quackery,  and  I  trust  it  may  please  God  to  bless 
us  also  in  our  efforts  to  place  the  medical  practice 
amono-  the  natives  of  this  Island  on  a  more  rational 
and  scientific  basis.  Your  Tamil  works  on  Medi- 
cine will  remain  a  memorial  of  you  after  you  are 
gone,  and  you  will  not  soon  be  forgotten.  We,  as 
natives  of  this  Island,  are  much  indebted  to  the 
American  Mission  for  their  efforts  in  the  cause 
of  Christianity,  civilization  and  science,  although 
these  have  been  confined  to  a  part  of  the  Island. 

...  I  feel  that  "it  is  good  for  me  that  I  have 
been  afflicted."  I  trust  I  have  advanced  in  faith 
and  patience,  and  wait  God's  own  time  to  give  me 
health. 

I  cannot  hope  to  meet  you  in  this  life;  but  I 
cordially  echo  the  hope  that  we  may  meet  where 
there  will  be  no  pain  or  sickness.  May  God  grant 
you  and  your  family  a  safe  and  pleasant  voyage, 
and  a  happy  re-union  with  those  you  left  behind. 

Yours  respectfully  and  sincerely, 

James  Loos. 


Aetat.  50.]  Number  of  medical  students.  313 

Before  Dr.  Green  went  to  Ceylon,  seven  or 
eight  young  men  had  been  educated  in  medicine 
by  the  Mission.  During  his  two  terms  of  service, 
sixty-two  were  educated  much  more  extensively 
and  thoroughly,  and  thirty-three  of  them  in  the 
Vernacular;  besides  these,  a  class  of  twenty  were 
well  started  in  medicine  before  he  left.  On 
graduation  they  received  each  a  copy  of  every 
text-book  he  had  mastered,  if  already  in  print; 
otherwise  they  had  written  out  their  books,  which 
were  well  bound  for  them,  and  included  such 
illustrations  as  could  be  provided  at  the  time. 
Besides  small  and  popular  treatises,  he  had  pro- 
duced eight  volumes,  either  already  printed  or  in 
process  of  printing,  and  four  volumes  in  manu- 
script yet  to  be  revised  for  the  press.  His  gradu- 
ates, now  living,  were  in  the  employ  of  foreigners 
and  of  Government,  or  engaged  in  private  practice. 
His  hope  of  studding  the  Province  with  well 
educated  practitioners  had  begun  to  be  realized. 
The  people  had  lost  confidence  in  their  native 
doctors  to  an  encouraging  extent;  and  the  Friend- 
in-Need  Hospital,  now  manned  by  his  graduates, 
had  more  patients  than  all  the  hospitals  in  the 
other  provinces. 

After  spending  a  week  at   Kandy  and  a  fort- 
night at  Colombo,  in  the  enjoyment  of  most  cordial 
courtesies  and  hospitalities.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Green 
30 


314  Voyage  and  arrival  hojne.  [A.  D.  1873. 

with  their  four  children  embarked  on  the  Good 
Hope,  sailing  from  Colombo  on  the  29th  of  March, 
touching  at  Aden,  Port  Said  and  Malta,  and 
landing  in  London  the  19th  of  May.  Leaving 
London  the  9th  of  July,  they  visited  Reading, 
Oxford,  Bakewell  in  Derbyshire,  Durham,  Edin- 
burgh, Melrose,  and  Liverpool,  sailing  thence  on 
the  Canada  the  13th  of  August  and  reaching  New 
York  on  the  26th.  On  the  13th  of  September 
they  went  to  Worcester;  and  as  they  wound  up 
the  long  and  charming  lane  to  Green  Hill  and 
approached  the  mansion,  they  were  greeted  with 
"mottoes  in  large  moss  letters  on  white  " — We/- 
come,  Home  of  ou7'  Childhood,  Welcome  Home, — by 
the  road  side  and  at  the  entrance  of  the  house, 
while  "Home,  Sweet  Home" and  "Auld  Lang  Syne" 
rang  out  from  "a  Band  of  music  concealed  in  the 
shrubbery."  The  old  mansion  had  expanded  and 
towered,  and  taken  on  architectural  forms, — the 
extensive  country-seat  of  the  Hon.  Andrew  H. 
Green,  of  New  York;  and  providing  separate  and 
ample  apartments  for  the  brothers  and  sisters  and 
their  families,  who  assembled  three  times  a  day 
around  the  hospitable  table,  and  as  often  as  they 
pleased  in  the  library.  A  feast  of  delicacies  was 
in  readiness,  and  "  a  Home  furnished  lovingly  with 
every  requisite  "  for  the  Doctor  and  his  family. 
The  grateful  record  runs  thus: 


Aetat.  51.]  Expressmt  of  gratitude.  315 

''For  bringing  us  safely  and  comfortably  through 
manifold  perils,  and  granting  us  to  meet  in  health 
and  happiness  our  beloved  and  esteemed  relatives, 
the  Lord  be  pleased,  through  Jesus,  to  accept  our 
unfeigned  thanksgiving. — S.  F.  G. — M.  W.  G." 


CHAPTER    XIX 


1873-1876:    ^T.   51-54- 


"[-TAVING  returned  to  the  home  of  his  child- 
hood, where  he  had  so  longr  been  desired 
and  to  which  he  had  so  long  looked  forward  as  a 
place  of  rest  after  his  utmost  had  been  done  in 
his  foreign  field,  Dr.  Green  was  for  a  time  unable 
to  engage  in  any  labor  that  was  not  itself  recreation. 
He  found  the  home  changed  very  much  both  inter- 
nally and  externally.  His  father  and  youngest 
sister  as  members  of  the  household,  and  his  oldest 
brother  as  a  near  neighbor  and  familiar  visitor, 
were  missed  almost  as  for  the  first  time,  notwith- 
standino^  he  had  become  somewhat  accustomed 
to  think  of  them  as  departed.  His  brother  Andrew 
had  added  so  much  to  the  farm  and  to  the  mansion, 
and  made  so  many  alterations  on  the  place,  that 
memory  had  to  supply  much  that  was  once  familiar 
to  sight.  He  had  expressed  the  wish  ir:i  his  boy- 
hood that  this  brother  might  become  proprietor 
of  the  homestead;  and  now  his  wish  was  realized 
far  beyond  what  his  youthful  imagination  had 
ventured  to  think  possible.      It  was,  however,  the 


Aetat.  51.]  At   Green  Hill.  317 

same  free  home  he  had  ever  known,  where  all 
who  survived  were  ever  welcome,  and  where  he 
and  his  might  take  no  thought  for  the  morrow  as 
to  what  they  should  eat  or  wherewith  they  should 
be  clothed. 

The  changes  already  made,  however,  were  only 
the  beginning  of  a  long  series  either  already  con- 
templated or  increasing  with  new  suggestions  as 
the  seasons  marked  the  progress  towards  the  ideal 
rural  home  on  the  confines  of  an  ever-encroaching: 
city.  It  was  therefore  easy  for  Dr.  Green  to  make 
himself  useful,  even  while  strolling  about  the 
premises  or  driving  about  town  for  recreation  and 
pleasure.  It  was  his  delight  to  keep  his  brother 
informed  of  all  that  took  place,  his  pen  never 
wearying  in  expressions  of  affection,  obligation 
and  interest. 

With  ample  separate  apartments  for  all  the 
household.  Dr.  Green  could  live  in  as  much  retire- 
ment as  he  pleased,  but  he  never  allowed  himself 
to  be  forgetful  of  proprieties.  From  his  childhood 
it  had  seemed  to  be  almost  a  necessity  of  his  own 
nature  to  be  helpful  to  others.  The  most  generous 
provisions  for  his  own  comfort  never  weakened 
his  love  of  order  and  economy.  As  the  household 
gathered  thrice  a  day  in  the  dining-room,  he  was 
promptly  at  his  place  at  the  table,  having  his 
family  with  him,  so  as  never  to  lose  time  himself, 


3i8  Letter  to  his  lirothcr  Andre^v.  [A.  D.  1874. 

or  to  be  the  occasion  of"  the  loss  of  it  by  others, — 
thus  avoiding  annoyance  to  any  portion  of  the 
household,  and  contributing  by  his  example  to  the 
ease  and  efficiency  of  the  household  service. 


Green   Hill,  February,   1874. 
My  Dear  Brother  Andrew: 

...  I  contemplate  the  expenditure  here 
with  some  degree  of  composure,  trusting  it  does 
not  intrench  in  the  least  on  investments,  but  I 
fear  I  have  not  much  complacency  in  it.  I  antic- 
ipate, however,  the  developement  of  this  feeling 
when  yourself  shall  be  in  the  enjoyment  of  what 
is  steadily  shaping  for  elegance  and  comfort.  .  .  . 
I  am  enjoying  a  little  resumption  of  work  again. 
I  hope  I  may  gradually  settle  into  efficient  labor 
once  more.  There  is  great  enjoyment  in  useful 
occupation.  To  do  nothing  is  the  hardest  work. 
I  sometimes  think  such  wprk  will  be  the  lot  of  the 
lost.  A  "fast  man"  they  say.  Yes,  fast  rushing 
from  intense  activit}'  to  blank  monotony;  no  flitting 
from  scene  to  scene,  but  one  glum  dusky  loneli- 
ness, and  no  one  to  blame  for  it  — all  recoiling  and 
weighing  on  self.  .  .  . 

Affectionately,  your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


Aetat.  51. j  Gift  to  Jaffna  College.  319 

Green   Hill,  March  28,   1874. 

My  Dear  Sister  Lucy: 

....  Should  the  month  of  August  find 
your  finances  prospering  so  as  to  warrant  it,  I 
shall  rejoice  to  avail  of  your  permission  to  add  a 
thousand  dollars  to  the  little  sum  already  gained 
in  Jaffna  as  a  donation  toward  the  endowment  of 
the  Green  Professorship  of  Medicine  and  the  Nat- 
ural' Sciences  in  the  Jaffna  College.  ...  It  will 
be  necessary  to  make  such  conditions,  restrictions 
and  limitations  as  shall  prevent  any  perversion  of 
the  funds.  ... 

Affectionately  your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

In  due  time,  by  his  sister's  permission,  the  gift 
suggested  was  m.ade.  The  doctor's  "resumption 
of  work"  thus  extended  beyond  his  books,  even  to 
an  immediate  and  permanent  blessing  to  the  peo- 
ple for  whose  welfare  he  had  devoted  so  many 
years  of  labor  and  so  much  prayer. 

Green   Hill,  April  i-^,  1874. 

My  Dear  Brother  Andrew: 

...  I  thank  you  for  your  offers  of  remedial 
and  hygienic  means.     I  have  already  all  that  heart 


320  Every  comfort  supplied.  [A.  D.  1874. 

can  wish.  Every  need  is  met,  every  comfort  sup- 
plied, and  it  is  an  additional  joy  that  a  good  Prov- 
idence affords  all,  not  through  the  hard  strife  of 
business;  less  through  the  cold  hand  of  charity; 
but  through  the  warm  hearts  of  those  beloved  and 
esteemed.  The  lines  fall  to  me  in  a  pleasant 
place,  and  I  have  but  the  one  want  and  wish — to 
receive  all  more  gratefully  and  use  all  more  grace- 
fully. .  .  . 

2  1. — It  seems  that  the  Secretary  of  the  Board 
very  properly  wrote,  sounding  the  Mission  as 
to  the  desirability  of  our  return.  They  discussed 
the  matter  fully,  and  voted  unanimously  for  our 
return  if  possible  and  as  soon  as  practicable.  This 
is  gratifying,  for  we  "like  to  be  missed  at  home." 
I  am  informed  of  the  completion  of  another  vol- 
ume, and  of  considerable  progress  on  the  printing 
of  still  another.  Also  I  am  at  last  encouraged  to 
expect  an  instalment  of  manuscript  translation.  .  . 

Ever  and  affectionately, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


Medical  Missions  had  become  a  subject  of  great 
interest  to  Dr.  Green.  A  brief  but  condensed 
summary  of  his  views  was  published  in  1874  in 
the  May  number  of  the  Quarterly  Paper  of  the 
Edinburgh  Missionary  Society,  and  followed  im- 
mediately by  the  comment  of  the  editor:  "The 
foregoing  contribution   has  been  sent  us  by  our 


Aetat.  51.]  Continuvig  translation.  321 


esteemed  friend  and  fellow-laborer  while  in  India. 
Dr.  Green,  of  Cevlon,  than  whom  no  living  Medi- 
cal  .Missionary  has  had  such  lengthened  experience, 
nor  done  so  much  to  extend  the  benefits  of  Euro- 
pean skill,  by  translating  and  publishing  a  com- 
prehensive Medical  and  Surgical  Literature  in  the 
South  Indian  vernacular,  and  bv  training-  native 
medical  evano-elists." 

High  as  is  the  editorial  commendation,  no  man 
acquainted  with  the  facts,  especially  no  medical 
missionary,   could  justly  detract  from  it  by  a  word. 

Dr.  Green  still  regarded  himself  a  missionary, 
so  far  as  it  was  possible  in  his  poor  health  and 
absence  from  his  field.  He  had  made  arrange- 
ments by  which  he  hoped  to  have  his  contemplated 
series  of  medical  works  in  Tamil  completed.  His 
translator  was  to  send  him  from  Ceylon  from  time 
to  time  a  portion  of  the  work  in  hand,  which  he 
was  to  revise  and  return,  until  the  translation  of 
the  whole  work  should  be  ready  for  the  press. 
The  possibility  of  loss  by  mail  made  it  necessary 
to  keep  a  copy  of  the  corrections  made,  or  to  take 
the  risk  of  havino-  to  make  them  a^ain.  This 
revising  by  instalments  gave  him  interesting  em- 
ployment and  kept  him  in  frequent  communication 
with  the  Medical  Department  and  in  close  sympa- 
thy with  the  Mission.  His  heart  was  largely  with  the 
people  for  whom  he  had  labored,  and  nothing  but 


32  2  Letter  to  Dr.   VaittUlngam.  [A.  D.  1874. 

inability  or  necessity  would  deter  him  from  laboring 
for  them  still.  He  persevered,  revising  parcel  after 
parcel  of  translation,  till  a  volume  was  finally 
completed;  and  then  he  began  on  another. 

The  young  Tamil  physician  whom  he  left  in 
charge  of  the  Medical  Department  sent  his  first 
instalment  of  his  translation  of  Dalton's  Physiology 
so  that  Dr.  Green  received  it  in  May.  Some  notion 
of  the  nature  and  amount  of  the  work  he  had  to 
to  do  in  revision,  and  in  keeping  Tamil  friends  up 
to  their  duty,  may  be  gained  from  the  following 
letter. 

To  Dr.  Vaittilingam. 

Green   Hill,  Worcester,   Mass.,   U.  S.  A., 

June  25,  1874. 

My  Dear  Chapman: 

Herewith  you  will  receive  the  nine  small 
pages  of  notes  on  your  instalment  No.  i  of  sixteen 
large  j)ages.  Allow  me  to  express  my  gratification 
at  the  excellence  of  your  translation.  I  hope  that 
with  growing  experience  and  pains  ,your  style  and 
accuracy  may  still  further  improve.  As  we  have 
repeatedly  talked,  simplicity  is  the  chief  character- 
istic of  a  good  style.  In  works  of  science  we  want 
as  little  technicality  as  possible,  but  should  not 
prefer   circumlocution  to  the  use  of  a  technical. 


Aetat.  51.]  Annwersary  of  arrival  home.  323 

In  all  the  rest  of  our  series  let  us  rather  prefer  the 
usage  of  the  P hysician  s  Vade  Mecinn  to  that  in 
the  Anatomy;  and  put  in  plenty  of  aids  in  the  way 
of  English  Captions,  catchwords  and  emphasized 
Tamil  words.     Please  see  page  4  of  my  remarks 

about  references  I  have  made Mr.  Jones 

writes  me  that  he  has  despatched  the  remaining 
forms  of  the  Physicians  Vade  Mectiin  to  me  by 
Book  Post;  so  I  daily  expect  their  appearance 
here.  Please  remember  us  all  kindly  to  your  wife 
and  sister;  to  Messrs.  Moody,  Strong  and  Asbury; 
to  our  common  medical  friends  and  to  an}^  in- 
quiring, acquaintances.  How  many  dissections 
have  you  had  at  the  Plospital  the  past  year.? 

Your  friend, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


On  the  26th  of  August  Dr.  Green  wrote:  "To- 
day ends  a  year  for  us  in  America.  I  can  never 
forget,  nor  can  duly  recompense  for,  the  favors  of 
this  year.  My  heart  melts  in  recalling  the  meet- 
ing at  the  ship,  the  tender  care  at  the  New  York 
home  and  at  Norwalk,  and  the  joyous  welcome  at 
the  Hill." 

His  watchfulness  over  his  own  heart,  and  his 
readiness  to  extend  to  others  the  benefit  of  his 
own  selfadministered  corrections  and  rebukes,  are 
alike  beautifully  exhibited  in  this  extract  from  a 


324  Infrospection.       .  [A.  D.  1875.. 

letter  to  the  one  who  might  possibly  have  shared 
with  him  the  objectionable  feeling.  "I  felt  much 
your  so  sudden  withdrawal.  I  was  conscious  of  a 
feeling  of  elation  in  driving  about  in  the  carriage 
(just  after  leaving  you)  behind  a  fine  pair  of  horses. 
Then  the  thought  crossed  my  mind,  how  heinous 
a  sin  pride  is,  that  it  thrusts  in  its  head  where 
gratitude  should  show  itself." 


Green   Hill,  Feb.  26,  1875. 

My  Dear  Brother  Andrew: 

.  .  .  Your  note  bears  three  facts  that  call 
out  our  earnest  solicitude  and  sympathy:  The 
greater  fierceness,  the  increased  number  of  foes, 
and  the  lessened  number  of  friends  and  helpers. 
Look  up  for  guidance,  and  foward  with  as  much 
hope  as  you  may.  ...  It  can  scarcely  be  your 
duty  to  sacrifice  your  health  or  your  property  or 
peace  of  your  relatives.  There  is  a  satisfaction 
in  the  successful  resistance  of  wrong.*.  .  .  Per- 
severance is  a  virtue;  its  extreme  is  persistency; 
its  excess  is  pertinacity.  All  the  virtues  exist 
within  the  circle  of  Love;  each  is  a  sturdy  spoke 
in  the  wheel  of  life.  If  any  one  juts  beyond  the 
tire,  its  vicious  length  jars  and  jounces  along  to 
discomfort  and  danger.  ...    In  a  fight  one  should 

^Andrew  H.  Green  was  occupying  at  this  critical  time  the 
office  of  Comptroller  of  New  York. 


Aetat.  52.1  Religion  and  Science.  325 


not  only  look  at  the  foe  in  front,  but  should  give 
a  look  right  and  left,  that  his  blows  harm  not 
those  he  counts  his  friends.  .  .  .  Don't  let  the 
vehemence  of  indignation  force  you  a  step  fur- 
ther than  Wisdom  will  sanction.  ... 

Ever  and  affectionately. 

Your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Green  Hill,  March  24,  1875. 

My  Dear  Brother  Andrew: 

I  have  Dr.  Draper's  book*  in  hand.  It  is 
written  in  a  charming  style.  It  is  most  captivating. 
It  seems  to  me  for  contemplation  like  a  glittering 
iceberg.  It  chills  one  while  it  charms.  I  do  not 
see  that  it  touches,  much  less  solves  the  problem 
of  sin  and  suffering.  Crimes — political,  social, 
domestic — abound  around  us.  Will  science  stop 
a  little  from  her  soarings  toward  the  tenuous  ether 
to  suggest  a  remedy  ?  The  taint  of  sin  attaches 
to  the  inner  self  of  every  human  being.  To  rid 
himself  of  it,  which  branch  of  Science  had  the 
Philosopher  best  pursue.  Professor  Webster 
followed  out  Chemistry  faithfully,  and  murdered 
Dr.  Parkman,     "  Light  has  come  into  the  world." 


•fc>' 


*History  of  the  conflict  between  Religion  and  Science,  by 
John  William  Draper,  M.  D.,  L.  L.  D. 

31 


326  Dr.  Draper's  book.  [A.  D.  1875. 


The  desideratum  is  holiness.  Shall  Science  with 
her  torch  lead  us  to  it,  or  shall  we  follow  the 
Greater  Light.  It  is  to  be  wished  that  Dr.  Draper 
would  discriminate  between  the  Pope  and  the 
Lord  Jesus,  between  interpretations  of  Scripture 
and  Scripture  itself.  .  .  . 

April  7. — .  .  .  It  strikes  me  as  remarkable  that 
a  man  so  astute  in  many  things  should  perpetrate 
the  error  of  estimating  the  relative  values  of  spirit 
and  matter  by  bulk.  If  a  soul  is  immortal  and 
endlessly  progressive,  it  far  transcends  in  impor- 
tance the  largest  sun  ever  gauged  by  astrono- 
mers. ... 

April  17. — I  have  carefully  read  Dr.  Draper's 
book  through  ;  seme  of  it  twice.  It  is  charming 
in  style,  entertaining  and  nistructive  m  items,  bad 
in  logic,  because  mistaken  in  its  premises  and  its 
conclusions."  It  has  inconsistencies.  I  am  glad 
to  have  read  it,  am  obliged  to  you  for  placing  it 
before  me.     I  would  like  to  go  over  it  again.  .  .  . 

Affectionately, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


In  reply  to  a  sister's  inquiry  as  to  the  wants  in 
the  family,  he  wrote,  "  I  have  referred  your  inquiry 
as  to  our  needs  to  Margaret.  It  seems  that  by  the 
goodness    of    God    through  the  kindness  of  our 


Aetat.  52.]  Rules  for  Dispensary.  327 

friends  we  are  brought  in  to  such  difficulty  that  we 
feel  unable  to  name  any  unsupplied  want." 

To  THE  American  Ceylon  Mission. 

September  30,    1875. 
Dear  Brethren: 

I  have  for  years  purposed  to  prepare  some 
simple  rules  for  the  general  guidance  of  those  re- 
sorting to  our  Dispensary.  I  send  herewith  a  draft 
of  these  for  improval  and  for  translation.  I  would 
like  a  copy  of  the  translation  for  revisal.  I  sug- 
gest that  when  ready  it  be  printed  with  an  appro- 
priate heading.  Every  patient  receives  a  ticket 
on  which  is  a  synopsis  of  the  Christian  religion. 
On  this  is  written  his  number  accordinor  to  the 
register.  To  Christians  and  to  those  obviously 
conversant  with  Christianity  these  rules  may  be 
given  instead  of  the  old  ticket.  The  patient's 
number  can  be  equally  well  put  upon  it.  To 
intelligent  heathens  both  may  be  given.  It  may 
properly  be  charged  to  the  Government  Medical 
Grant. 

If  approved  by  the  Mission,  will  they  please 
have  it  copied,  and  the  verified  copy  translated  as 
simple  as  practicable,  and  a  copy  of  the  translation 
sent  to  me,  and  so  much  oblige, 

Dear  Brethren, 

Yours  respectfully, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


328  Reminiscences.  [A.  D.  1875. 

Green   Hill,    Tues.,  12  OcL,   1875. 

My  Dear  Brother  Andrew: 

Mr.  John  N.  Flagg,  of  Bennington,  N.  H., 
called  to-day,  to  look  at  Green  Hill, for  old  acquaint- 
ance's sake.  He  used  to  live  here,  from  18 10  to 
18 1 3.  He  was  a  lad  of  eight  years,  and  contem- 
porary here  with  Miss  Bethesda  Rugg. 

He  recalls  our  aunt  Mary,  as  a  very  lovely 
woman,  who  nursed  him  kindly  when  he  had  cut 
his  foot  deeply  at  the  woodpile.  He  remembers 
grandmother,  and  her  burial  in  the  Old  South 
Church  glebe.  He  used  to  dig  worms,  for  some 
of  father's  law-acquaintances,  to  fish  with  in  the 
pond:  (of  about  30  acres.) 

His  fishing  there  was  so  facile  that  it  spoiled, 
ever  afterwards,  the  attempt  at  the  sport  elsewhere. 
He  accumulated  in  perquisites,  by  the  visitors,  a 
sum  of  five  dollars,  which  he  lent  to  one  Taft,  a 
man  who  worked  here,  but  who  enlisted  after- 
wards in  the  army  and  never  returned,  with  either 
principal  or  interest. 

He  says  father  was  always  very  pleasant  with 
him.  "Never gave  him  a  cross  word."  He  would 
say,  "Johnny,  ah  you're  a  rogue."  Aunt  Mary 
once  sent  him  to  Millstone  Hill  to  call  the  wood- 
choppers  to  dinner,  from  which  errand  he  returned 
abashed,  through  failure  to  find  them. 

He  has  a  recollection  of  the  Licorice  in  the 
garden  :  of  the  English  Walnut  tree :  of  the  row 
of  Mulberries  and  of  the  great  profusion  and 
variety  of  peaches,  cherries  and  pears. 


Aetat.  53.]  Traits  of  character.  329 

He  remembers  father's  marriage  with  Julia 
Plimpton. 

He  says  father  had  a  Chinese  sow,  almost  black, 
which  he  kept  till  she  was  nearly  twenty  years  of 
age.  His  recollection  of  the  house  do2:  then  is 
not  very  clear,  but  he  thinks  it  was  a  shaggy 
yellowish  one.  He  remembers  brother  William, 
about  two  years  younger  than  himself,  also  a  little 
girl  about:  probably  sister  Lucy.  He  was  pre- 
engaged  for  dinner,  so  he  could  not  stop  with  us. 
He  entered  his  name  in  the  Green  Hill  book. 

He  seems  sedate,  intelligent  and  sterling.  We 
had  a  real  treat  of  reminiscences,  and  should  have 
enjoyed  it  still  more,  could  all  of  you,  now  at  No. 
I,  have  been  present. 

Affectionately  your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


Dr.  Green  was  remarkable  for  two  traits  of 
character  which  do  not  often  go  together  or 
appear  equally  developed:  the  absence  of  all 
pride  against  being  a  beneficiary,  and  the  con- 
stant presence  of  the  sense  of  gratitude  for  the 
favors  received.  Perhaps  this  was  owing  first  to 
his  consecration  to  Christ,  and  then  to  the  fact 
that  he  regarded  ,  every  gift  of  man  to  him  as 
belonging  to  the  Lord,  whether  in  the  hands  of 
a  benefactor  or  in  those  of  a  beneficiary. 


33° 


Gratitude.  [A.  D.  1875. 


To  Mrs.  and  Mr.   Knudsen. 

Green  Hill,  November  9,  1875. 

My  Dear  Sister  and  Brother: 

.  .  .  Shall  I  try  to  balance  your  generos- 
ity by  my  gratitude.?  The  sick  fox  lies  by  the 
pathway  and  sees  the  tracks  of  bounty-laden  lions, 
elephants,  etc.,  all  pointing  one  way.  Mr.  Rand* 
used  to  say  "  It  is  easier  to  condescend  than  to  be 
condescended  to ;"  but  your  favors  all  come  with 
so  much  of  fraternity  enwrapping  them,  that  I  do 
not  experience  the  difficulty.  May  the  happiness 
of  the  giver  be  with  you  each  large  interest  on 
each  benefaction. 

With  love  for  all  four, 

Ever  and  affectionately  yours, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

To  His  Daughter. 

New  York,  Monday  Evening,  6  Dec,  '75. 

My  Lovely  Lucy  Darling: 

...  It  seems  a  very  long  week  since  I 
bade  you  all  good  bye  in  the  lobby  at  the  loved 
Homestead.     The  sounds  and  sights  and  scenes 

*John  Rand,  an  eminent  artist,  long  resident  in  England, 
and  an  able  and  scholarly  gentleman. 


Aetat.  53.]  Letter  to  his  daughter  Lucy.  33 1 

have  made  many  and  varied  and  strong  impres- 
sions on  my  mind;  and  life  is  more  truly  measured 
by  mental  emotions  and  actions,  than  by  the 
calendar. 

I  was  rejoiced  to  receive  a  letter  from  your 
sister  Julia,  and  shortly  thereafter  one  from  you 
also.  I  feel  gratified  by  the  correctness  and 
neatness  of  your  productions;  as  well  as  by  the 
facility  and  range  of  expression.  And  now  to-day 
comes  in  a  very  pleasing  note  from  your  sister 
Mary,  the  third  in  the  children's  series;  I  respond- 
ed to  dear  Julia's  last  week,  now  to  yours,  and 
perhaps  next  week  to  dear  Mary's.  I  hope  also 
to  write  to  your  little  brother  — and  my  little  son  — 
in  due  course.  Then,  I  fear,  I  shall  have  t(j  deny 
myself;  as  I  see  I  shall  have  to  work  pretty  hard 
to  overtake  all  the  items  of  business  that  I  have 
planned  to  execute  before  turning  homeward. 

Oh,  if  I  only  had  you  just  now  by  my  side  and 
could  prattle  a  few  phrases  with  you  and  nip  the 
finger  tips,  to  and  fro,  once  or  twice!  I  will  hope 
soon  again,  to  have  that  five  minutes  which  flees 
so  apace,  just  before  the  iron  hand  so  inexorably 
warns  the  beloved  trio  to  bed. 

I  hope  my  lovely  walks  closely  along  with  the 
Blessed  Jesus  through  the  hours  of  each  day.  I 
trust  she  is  the  quiet  peacemaker  and  her  mother's 
cheer.  Realize  that  our  Lord  was  once  just  of 
your  age  and  that  he  passed  through  childhood  and 
through  his  teens  and  knows  exactly  all  the  trials 
and  temptations,  all  the  wants  and  wishes,  of  my 
dear  lassie.  Neither  pen  nor  tongue  can  tell  all 
that  is  in  my  heart,  of  yearning  for  my  Lucy's 


332  Correspondence.  [A.  D.  1875. 

weal.  We  conclude  in  saying  that  but  "one 
thing  is  needful,"  and  I  wish  daily  my  darlings 
shall  ask  that  for  papa,  as  he  for  them.  May  the 
adorable  Saviour  aid  both  you  and  your  sister  to 
adorn  your  profession  of  loyalty  to  Him,  to 
"adorn  the  doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour  in  all 
things." 

Tossing  you  and  all  four  a  kiss,  I  close,  as  the 
late  hour  commands  me  to  retire. 

Ever  and  most  lovingly, 

Your  father, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


It  fell  to  Dr.  Green  to  conduct  an  immense 
correspondence.  His  kindred  were  numerous, 
and  have  preserved  many  letters,  generally  very 
brief,  however,  because  of  the  constant  pressure 
of  the  work  he  was  doing,  and  of  the  constant 
necessity  of  favoring  himself.  To  his  friends  he 
wrote  hurriedly,  as  well  as  briefly,  but  always  out 
of  the  fulness  of  his  heart,  spontaneously  suiting 
every  letter  to  the  individuality  of  its  recipient. 
He  was  so  strong  in  his  affections,  so  spiritual  in 
the  temper  and  habit  of  his  mind,  so  practical  in 
his  views,  so  desirous  of  the  consecration  of  every 
one  to  Christ,  that  the  transitions  from  news  and 
from  business  into  sentences   and  paragraphs  of 


Aetat.  53.]  Letters.  T^T^-i) 

sentiment  seem  to  have  been  as  easy  and  natural 
as  the  beating  of  the  pulse.  His  habit  of  brevity, 
formed  by  necessity  while  abroad,  seemed  to  be 
a  matter  of  course  after  his  return,  so  that  scarcely 
a  day  passed,  except  Sunday,  without  one  or  more 
letters.  It  was  his  method  of  intercourse  with  the 
absent,  his  substitute  for  their  visible  and  audible 
presence.  No  apology  need  be  offered  for  the 
insertion  of  a  few  of  his  letters  in  chronoloQ-ical 
order  with  the  narrative,  whether  they  relate  to 
the  subject  of  the  context,  or  have  no  other  rela- 
tion to  it  than  that  of  the  order  of  time.  They 
are  valuable  as  revealins^  his  own  mind  and  heart; 
his  love  for  his  kindred  and  friends,  his  desire  for 
the  salvation  of  all,  his  consecration  to  Christ,  his 
willing  self-denial  for  His  cause,  his  unworldly 
spirit,  his  entire  freedom  from  doubt  concerning 
the  reality  of  the  things  revealed  and  the  genuine- 
ness and  certainty  of  his  own  renewal  by  the  Spirit, 
and  of  his  own  heirship  to  the  full  fruition  of  the 
divine  promises.  He  realized  in  himself  that 
"godliness  with  contentment  which  is  great  gain." 
All  things  were  his  because  they  were  Christ's, 
and  to  him  there  was  nothing  worth  living  for 
except  the  preparation  of  the  world  for  which 
Christ  died  for  the  glorious  inheritance  which  He 
had  purchased  and  promised  to  share  with  his 
followers. 


334 


Lettei'  to  his  daughter.  [A.  D.  1876. 


To  HIS  Daughter. 

New  York,  2 j  January,   1876. 

My  Precious  Julia: 

.  Perhaps  you  know  how  very  much 
Papa  wishes  to  see  you.  I  got  an  unexpected 
look  at  your  picture  the  other  day,  and  was  de- 
Ughted.  I  could  scarce  help  laughing  out,  for  glad- 
ness. How  happy  it  is  to  look  forward  to  the 
spirit-world  and  think  that  matter  will  not  there 
have  place  to  darken  with  its  shadows;  to  hide 
us,  one  from  the  other.  How  beautiful  to  have 
all  supple  and  clarified;  to  see  into  each  other's 
hearts  and  through  each  other's  being;  to  "know, 
even  as  we  are  known."  Till  all  gross  and 
unholy  is  eliminated,  "God  (in  mercy)  hides 
from  all  beings  but  Himself,  ....  the  human 
heart." 

How,  dear  daughter,  could  we  possibly  reach 
this  hallowed  state,  when  opposed  by  the  treachery 
of  a  "heart  deceitful  and  desperately  wicked;" 
by  an  alluring  world  all  in  rebellion ;  by  an 
adversary,  malicious,  experienced,  incessant;  did 
not  the  Blessed  Jesus  seek  us,  stand  by  us,  uphold 
us  and  clear  the  way  before  us. 

What  shall  we  render  to  Him  for  all  He  is  to 
us ;  for  all  He  has  earned  for  us ;  for  all  He 
prepares  us.  Let  our  "  mouth  be  filled  with  His 
praise  and  His  honor  all  the  day  long." 

I  like  to  think  of  you,  placed  so  eligibly ;  se- 
questered at  a  beautiful  homestead;  surrounded  by 
loving  and  faithful  friends  ;    senior,  and  so  leader. 


Aetat.  53.]  Letter  to  his  daughter  Julia.  335 


of  a  group  whom  you  daily  influence  by  your 
words  and  ways.  Well  might  an  angel  flutter 
down  from  the  skies  to  take  a  position,  so  advan- 
tageously environed,  in  which  to  serve  and  honor 
each  winged  hour,  the  God  of  Love. 

"  Rejoice,"  dear  Julia,  "  in  the  Lord  always,"  and 
while  in  gratitude  you  sing,  "  the  lines  are  fallen 
unto    me  .  in  pleasant  places,"  occasionally    also 
chant  with  serious  resolution,   "  to  whom  much  is 
given,  of  him  shall  much  be  required;" 
" and  again  rejoice',' 
for 
"  one  drop  of  honey  will  draw  more  flies  than  a 
bowl  of  vinegar." 

Let  us  ask  for  each  other  more  and  more  of  the 
Christ-ward  attraction,  of  that  "joy  and  peace," 
which  comes  of  believing  in  Jesus. 

And  now  with  a  kiss,  dear  darling,  Good  bye. 

Your  affectionate  father, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

L 

Green  Hill,  March  14,  1876. 

My  Dear  Brother  Andrew: 

...  It  is  remarkable  that  your  illness 
should  occur  just  after  my  leaving.  Did  the  pres- 
ence of  a  physician  keep  what  was  imminent  at 
bay,  or  did  "Pilgarlic"  leave  behind  morbific  influ- 
ence which  soon  culminated  in  ailment.?  I  hope 
you  are  restored  to  your  wonted  health,  comfort 


S3^  Letters  to  his  brother  Andreim.  [A.  D.  1876. 

and  vigor.  What  proof  of  constant  and  kindest 
care  is  the  fact  of  our  passing  month  after  month 
without  pain!  Our  complex,  intricate  mechanism 
surely  needs  the  hand  of  the  Former  to  keep  it  in 
easy  working  order.  Let  us  daily  praise  Him  in 
out-spoken  ejaculation  for  His  goodness.  He 
declares  to  us  that  "Whoso  offereth  praise  glorifi- 
eth  me;"  and  what  higher  purpose  can  .we  at  any 
hour  fulfil  than  to  glorify  One  who  is.  really  so 
gloriously  worthy  of  the  best  we  can  offer.?  .  .  . 
Most  lovingly  and  gratefully  and  yearningly, 

Your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


II. 


Green   Hill,  March  23,  1876. 

My  Dear  Brother  Andrew: 

....  Your  brotherly  visits,  in  one  undesir- 
able particular,  are  too  much  like  angel's  visits. 
Since  I  have  had  prolonged  ocular  evidence  of 
your  habitually  severe  pressure,  I  see  the  advisa- 
bility and  necessity  of  more  relaxation  for  you. 
I  cannot  bear  to  see  you  voluntarily  ageing  so 
rapidly.  ...  I  have  deep  convictions  as  to  this.  I 
feel  that  such  an  entire  break  in  the  moil  and  toil 
of  the  week  will  tell  powerfully  and  beneficially 
upon  you  physically,  mentally  and  spiritually. 
The  Bible  being  our  only  voice  from  heaven,  we 
must,  as  we  regard  our  souls,"  keep  it  fresh  and 


Aetat.  63.]  The  Sabbath.  337 

warm  by  frequent  and  deliberate  contact  with  it. 
As  for  the  Rest-day,  I  feel  bound  to  keep  it  "holy," 
ist  as  an  act  of  obedience,  2nd  as  a  high  enjoy- 
ment, 3d  a  profitable  example.  Why  does  the 
4th  commandment  commence  with  "Remember.'^" 
It  reminds  of  something  previously  enacted.  .  .  . 
As  a  brother  I  delight  in  you  and  have  constant 
occasion  to  thank  my  Father  for  the  companion- 
ship and  for  the  tender  kindness  and  the  great 
liberality  you  have  for  so  many  years  untiring  shown 
me.  Alongside  our  fraternal  relations  lies  closely 
that  of  benefactor  and  beneficiary.  The  first  place 
in  this  latter  relation  Providence  has  assigned  to 
you.  For  all  your  favors  I  can  make  but  slight 
return.  But  in  both  relations  I  wish  to  be  true, 
and  consequently  I  speak  out  my  yearnings  for 
your  welfare.  Were  I  now  speaking  to  you, 
beloved,  my  last  words,  I  would  say,  use  your 
Sabbaths  habitually,  and  your  Bible  daily,  as  one 
in  earnest  to  secure  salvation 

Yours  affectionately, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

III. 

Green   Hill,  April  21,  1S76. 

My  Dear  Brother  Andrew: 

What  a  marvel  of  Providence  that  amid 
such  numerous  and  constant  risks  we  measure 
our  comfort  and  enjoyment  by  years,  our  suffering 

32 


338  To  his  brother  Andrew.  [A.  D.  1876. 

by  hours  or  days.  ,  .  .  Doing  your  duty  by  the 
Public,  leave  results  to  the  Divine  control.  Things 
most  pleasing  in  the  present  are  not  seldom  least 
profiting  in  the  end.  There  is  no  rest  rival  of 
that  which  rests  in  the  Love  which  "sees  the  end 
from  the  beginning." 

How  selfishness  is  continually  complicating  the 
problem  of  life.  From  hour  to  hour  the  question 
should  simply  be  that  between  right  and  wrong. 
But  some  ambitious  scheme,  some  sinister  aim 
obtruding,  disturbs  the  current  which  might  flow 
placid  and  clear.  Truly,  "They  that  observe 
lying  vanities  forsake  their  own  mercy."  .  .  . 

Ever  and  affectionately. 

Your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

IV. 

Green   Hill,  May  25,   1876. 

My  Dear  Brother  Andrew: 

.  .  .  We  brought  up  one  double  roll  of 
paper  for  the  Library:  the  red  paper,  not  the 
green.  No  paper  sent  for  the  front  hall.  I  see 
in  this  some  instruction  as  to  the  difference 
between  regret  and  remorse.  Supposing  me 
responsible  wholly  for  the  miscarrying  of  the  hall 
papering,  it  can  easily  be  seen  how  far  greater 
would  be  the  mind-trouble  than  if  I  only  stood 


Aetat.  54.]  Regret  and  remorse.  339 

sharer  with  you  in  the  loss  and  delay.  If  regret 
may  be  represented  by  rheumatism,  remorse  must 
be  set  down  as  gout.  I  cannot  forbear  thinking 
how  far  severer  the  state  of  the  lost  is  than  if  it 
were  merely  one  of  regret.  One  wantonly  in  per- 
dition must  be  intensely  incensed  against  himself. 
There  is  for  regret  the  alleviation  of  sympathy; 
for  remorse  there  can  be  none.  Every  one  of  us 
is  lost  till  he  is  saved.  ...  Of  these  earthly 
annoyances  we  can  gradually  be  rid,  by  passing 
"on  to  the  next,"  and  on  and  on.  But  perdition 
must  be,  at  best,  I  fancy,  a  permanent,  brooding, 
sullen,  gloomy  chagrin  in  which  one  welters  and 
flounders  inextricably.  .  .  . 
I  am,  as  ever. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


New  York,  SaL,  21  OcL,  1876. 

My  Precious  Children: 

I  would  fain  write  you  severally  and  for- 
mally; but  circumstances  disfavor. 

You  are  daily  on  my  heart,  and  I  have  much  joy 
in  every  intimation,  "  that  my  children  walk  in 
the  truth."  To  the  natural  eye,  Jesus  is  invisible; 
but  the  eye  of  Faith  sees  Him,  clearly  and  ever 
near.  Darlings,  it  is  only  while  we  are  looking 
at  Him,  that  these  things  around  us,  which  are 


340  Lette7'  to  his  daughter  Maty.  [A.  D.  1878. 

sometimes  so  pleasant,  sometimes  so  troublesome, 
that  these  will  work  any  lasting  good  for  us. 

Once,  some  little  eyes  were  "watching for  Papa." 
Papa  is  watching  for  the  day  and  the  hour,  when 
again  he  may  meet  and  greet,  if  the  Lord  will, 
those  beaming  eyes,  and  loving  hearts. 

Love  from  us  both  to  each. 

Affectionately,  your  father, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

New  York,  Sat.,  4  Nov.,  1876. 

My  Precious  Daughter  Mary: 

I  was  looking  at  the  Republican  torch-light 
procession  till  nearly  eleven  o'clock  last  evening. 
Previous  to  this,  I  had  seen  two  other  similar 
shows  within  a  few  days.  As  I  was  looking  at 
the  torches,  with  their  flare  and  glare,  I  caught 
sight  of  a  brilliant  star;  which,  though  seemingly 
but  a  dot  upon  the  sky,  with  its  clear  and  steady 
radiance,  transcended  them  all.  Nor  less  did  the 
hurrahs  and  bustle,  contrast  with  the  quiet  of 
those  serene  depths,  in  which  our  star  and  its 
fellows  swing  around  unperturbed.  The  intensely 
fervent  excitement,  now  agitating  this  community, 
will  we  hope  in  four  days  be  lulled  by  the  still 
ballot.  The  doings  of  the  World  are  fitful 
and  shallow,  as  compared  with  proceedings  based 
on  the  Word  of  God.  Nestling  in  Christ,  we  can 
exulting  ask,  "Why  do  the  people  imagine  a  vain 
thing.?" 


Aetat.  54.1  Contemplating  return  to  Ceylon.  341 

I  feel  very  glad  over  your  kind  letter.  I  see 
that  you  will  probably  grov^  into  an  interesting 
correspondent.  I  '  am  pleased  that  you  do  not 
attempt  to  write  too  much;  for  I  would  rather  that 
you,  by  active  sports  in  the  sun  and  air,  lay  on  an 
ounce  of  flesh,  than  that  you,  by  staying  indoors, 
should  pen  me  a  page. 

My  dear  Birdie  knows  that  I  wish  her  to  be  one 
of  the  most  happy,  helpful  lasses  in  the  world. 
She  knows  the  sweet  story  of  Mary  of  old,  and 
that  nothing  would  more  gladden  Papa,  than  that 
she  should  in  herself  displa}^  the  like  inclination 
and  choice. 

Give  love  from  Mamma  and  me,  to  each  of  the 
Sisters  and  the  Brother. 

Hoping  ere  long  to  greet  you  and  them,  I  remain. 

Your  affectionate  father, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


Although  Dr.  Green's  recuperation  was  slow,  he 
desired  to  spend  his  strength  in  work  for  the 
Tamils,  "I  wish,"  said  he  in  June,  "to  see  the 
Chandlers  before  they  sail  in  August.  We  hope 
to  follow  them  within  a  year.  Although  power- 
fully weak  we  multiply  half  strength  by  tenfold 
demand  and  get  the  result  of  fivefold  usefulness." 
When  August  arrived  he  said:  "About  going  to 
India,  I  wish  to  feel  acquiescent  to  the  Lord's 
will.     I   would  not  prefer  to  stay  here  or  to  go 


342  Revision  and  tracts.  [A.  D.  1876 


there.  I  simply  wish  the  indication  as  to  duty 
perfectly  clear.  For  aught  to  the  contrary,  a 
restoration  to  a  good  degree  of  vigor  would  be  a 
clear  indication  to  resume  work  there;  work  in 
which  I  have  been  much  prospered;  work  most 
important;  work  about  which  not  a  tithe  of  the 
able  and  willing  hands  cluster  that  press  around 
every  Christian  utility  here." 

Besides  revising,  at  Green  Hill,  manuscript 
translations,  Dr.  Green  prepared  some  religious 
tracts  and  popular  scientific  monographs.  Of  the 
latter  he  sent  to  the  Mission  for  examination,  and, 
if  approved,  for  publication,  four  during  the  year, 
— entitled  The  Eye,  The  Ear,  The  Hand,  The 
Mouth. 


CHAPTER    XX 


1876-1878:    ^T.  54-56. 


A  FTER  attending  the  Annual  Meeting  of  the 
American  Board  at  Hartford,  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
Green  made  a  short  visit  with  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Knudsen  at  South  Norvvalk,  and  then  spent  sev. 
eral  weeks  with  the  sister  and  brother  at  New 
York,  where  they  were  recipients  of  great  courtesies 
from  several  of  his  professional  brethren,  and 
whence  they  returned  to  Green  Hill  after  an 
absence  of  about  two  months  and  a  half. 


Green   Hill,  February   14,    1877. 
My  Dear  Brother: 

...  I  have  been  latterly  thinking  repeat- 
edly of  morality.  It  seems  to  be  only  the  second 
part  of  that  Love  which  is  the  fulfilling  of  the 
Law.  It  may  be  most  punctilious  in  all  concerns 
between  man  and  man  and  while  recognizing  with 
rigid  exactness  the  claims  of  his  neighbor,  may 
ignore  the  ever  present  God  who  is  first  and  most 
to  be  recognized.  Morality  per  se  is  only  an 
earthly  blessing.  Only  as  vitalized  by  faith  in 
Jesus  can  it  transcend  the  bound  of  time  in  any 


344 


Faith.  [A.  D.  1877. 


lasting  good  to  the  soul;  for  "without  faith  it  is 
impossible  to  please  God."  Do  we  not  see  in  the 
Scripture  that  faith  is  a  sine  qua  non?  The  source 
of  faith  is  infinite,  and  so  is  its  freeness.  Each  of 
us  can  have  all  he  will  appropriate.  You  may- 
have  already  more  than  I  have.  I  think  I  have 
some,  though  it  is  lamentably  weak  and  unsteady, 
as  I  see  only  too  clearly.  May  I  say  that  I  long 
to  gain  more  assurance  as  to  your  possession  of 
this  inestimable  quality.  One  cheering  sign  would 
be  a  more  spiritual  use  of  the  weekly  Rest.  .  .  . 
I  am  as  ready  to  admit,  as  you  could  possibly  be 
to  declare,  that  this  is  a  matter  between  yourself 
and  your  Maker. 

-  Your  high  toned  morality  as  a  man,  your  loving 
kindness  as  a  brother,  constrain  me  to  break  over 
reserve  and  entreat  you  to  see  to  it  that  as  you 
abound  in  human  excellences  you  pray  and  en- 
deavor to  abound  in  this  crowning  excellence  of 
faith  also.  .... 

Ever  and  most  affectionately, 

Your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

To  Dr.  Vaittilingam. 

Green   Hill,  March  23,  1877. 

My  Dear  Chapman: 

Your   last  letter,  giving   the  necrology  of 
our  common  acquaintance,  and  the  fatally  diseased 


Aetat.  54.]  Rei'ision.  345 


condition  of  several  others  among  them,  was  as 
interesting  as  sad.  May  the  Lord,  the  Spirit,  work 
within  those  thus  sentenced  to  earlier  departure, 
that  faith  and  repentance  which  shall  prepare 
them  for  entrance  on  the  glory  of  the  coming 
kingdom  of  our  Lord  Jesus.  We  thank  you  for 
any  and  all  the  news  you  can  communicate  to  us 
from  our  loved  Jaffna.  That  little  dot  of  earth, 
we  lonor  to  see  thronged  with  lovinp-,  humble, 
devoted  followers  of  the  Saviour  Christ. 

I  have  just  finished  revision  of  your  last  parcel, 
and  have  now  to  wait  ten  days  for  another.  Can 
you  not,  with  Mr.  Howland's  help,  arrange  to  give 
me  a  parcel  every  week  instead  of  every  fort- 
night .f*  ...  I  can  easily  attend  to  the  revision  of 
twice  as  much  as  now  you  supply  to  me.  .  .  . 

The  several  Glossaries  were  prepared  one  after 
the  other.  All  the  while  experience  and  acquaint- 
ance with  the  work  of  nomenclature  were  o-rowino^. 
Therefore  the  latest  should  have  precedence  of 
any  made  previously.  First  came  the  Midwifery, 
secondly  the  Surgery,  thirdly  the  Anatomy,  fourthly 
the  Physic,  fifthly  the  Chemistry,  and  now  sixthly 
the  Physiology.  There  has  been  a  gradual  change 
in  the  style  of  Terms  and,  I  feel,  a  steady  improve- 
me^it.  In  any  subsequent  editions  of  the  books, 
this  should  be  regarded,  and  the  Terms  throughout 
the  books  severally,  and  in  the  Glossaries,  should 
be  conformed  to  the  latest  phase,  the  most  advanced 
and  improved  style.  The  most*  radical  change  in 
the  Glossaries  was  giving  the  English  preference 
over  the  Sanscrit  as  a  source  for  Terms. 


346  Letter  to  his  sister  Lucy.  [A.  D.  1877. 


With  kind  regards  for  and  from  all, 
Yours  truly, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Green   Hill,  March  27,   1877. 

My  Dear  Sister  Lucy: 

...  In  my  nightly  round  of  fastenings  I 
wander  through  deserts  of  garnished  rooms,  and 
when  at  the  end  I  reach  one  which  though  empty 
has  signs  of  current  occupancy,  I  feel  freshly  struck 
with  the  truth  that  number  has  much  to  do  with 
enjoyment.  As  "population  is  the  wealth  of  a 
nation,"  so  is  number  the  strength  of  a  family. 
Among  the  lesser  mysteries  of  Providence  is  the 
problem  of  this  beautiful  and  commodious  Home. 
Who  shall  throng  its  stairways,  who  crowd  its 
board,  who  repose  in  its  secluded  spacious  rooms  .r* 
The  who  and  the  when  will  all  be  disclosed  by  the 
gradual  unrolling  of  the  scroll  in  our  Father's 
hand.  As  long  as  any  of  us  have  aught  to  do 
with  it,  may  it  be  the  abode  of  love,  pure,  fervent 
and  unfeigned  .  .  . 

Ever  and  affectionately, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Green  Hill,  April  21,   1877. 

My  Dear  Brother  Andrew  : 

It  is  delightful  to  me  to  contemplate  you 
at  ease  for  a  day  or  two  in  the  home  and  company 


Aetat.  54.]  Letters  to  his  brother  Andrew.  347 

of  our  sister  Mary,  The  sensation  of  being  at 
leisure  must  be  almost  strange  to  you,  but  I  hope 
it  will  be  less  and  less  so  till  the  exception  shall 
grow  into  the  rule.  Our  Heavenly  Father  has 
made  us  for  enjoyment,  and  our  inner  self  must 
be  out  of  order  if  we  are  not  happy.  We  are 
never  truly  happy  till  we  are  happy  independent 
of  externals.  The  man  that  could  look  up  to  the 
Lord  and  say,  "All  my  springs  are  in  Thee,"  had 
found  the  secret  of  joy.  -What  a  boon  to  have  in 
us  a  fountain  of  water  springing  up  into  everlast- 
ing life!  A  blessing  this  within  the  reach  even 
of  the  weakest  and  the  worst.  May  you  be  stead- 
ily and  growingly  happy. 

Yours  lovingly  and  gratefully, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Green  Hill,  May  29,  1877. 

My  Dear   Brother  Andrew: 

I  drove  to  town  y ester-afternoon  with  dear 
Sister  Julia.    We  made  several  lively  calls.    Among 

other  places  we  called  at  Mr. 's  cottage.     He 

has  recently  gone  to  live  as  it  were  in  a  corner  of 
the  elegant  grounds  where  once  he  occupied  the 
central  residence.  How  surely  earthly  posses- 
sions depart,  either  by  our  losing  them  or  by  our 
passing  away  from  this  transient  world.  Some 
one  was  speaking  of  Mr.  Lockwood's  place  on 
which  he  spent  millions.     This  soon  slipped  away, 


348  Responsibility  of  possession.  [A.  D.  1877. 


by  various  mutations,  from  his  family,  and  passed 
for  a  few  thousands  into  the  hold  of  strangers. 
The  man  who  lately  held  it  has  suddenly  been 
summoned  hence. 

How  generally  men  seem  to  forget  that  respon- 
sibility is  the  ever  attendant  shadow  of  possession. 
Our  Saviour's  precept  and  example  both  show  us 
that  the  most  is  to  be  got  out  of  our  goods  by 
making  the  most  happy,  others  as  many  as  we  can. 
"Though  He  was  rich,  for  our  sakes  He  became 
poor."  He  is,  we  must  suppose,  the  happiest 
Being  in  the  universe,  and  is  so  because  He  makes 
the  greatest  multitudes  happy.  Among  property 
holders,  those  seem  to  me  the  noblest  who  save  to 
give,  while  those  who  save  to  hoard  are  of  all  most 
miserable.  Of  that  nobility  our  venerated  Aunt 
Betsey  always  seemed  to  me  a  conspicuous  ex- 
ample. She  spent  little  on  herself;  she  gave 
munificently.  I  fancy  she  impressed  herself  on 
our  sisters.  We  can  never  be  too  thankful  that  for 
years  such  a  genius  presided  among  us.  It  is  per- 
haps well  that  we  have  not  her  life-size  full  length 
portrait.  Looking  on  us  from  the  wall,  it  might 
over-tempt  us  to  saint-worship.  Even  to  a 
stranger's  gaze,  what  a  queenly  presence  it  would 
show.  Her  worthy  quality  imparted  has  grown, 
through  the  years,  into  all  the  wealth  of  generosity 
and  devotion  in  a  sisterhood  whom  we  count  our 
joy  and  crown. 

The  children  have  completed  the  planting  of 
their  gardens.  They  undertake  a  larger  plat  this 
year.  They  have  each  a  flower  bed  and  vegetable 
bed;  the  latter  in  the  same  spot  where  our  beets, 


Aetat.  54.1  Ordination.  349 

parsnips,  etc.,  grew  in  our  boyhood.  I  have  begun 
to  go  round  about  all  the  bounds  of  the  farm  with 
them.  They  are  favored  beyond  any  children  in 
town,  I  think,  in  havino^  such  rano^e  and  seclusion. 
We  plan  our  excursion  to  Long  Pond  this  season 
— a  fishing  pic-nic. 

My  young  friend  Sanders  is  to  be  "ordained" 
next  Tuesday.  I  am  named  as  one  of  the  Council; 
so  I  think  to  go  for  old  acquaintance's  sake.  It 
has  Ion 2f  seemed  to  me  that  the  hio-her  ordination 
pertains  to  every  Christian,  each  cognizant  of  the 
"good  news"  being  supposably  impelled  to  inform 
others  also.  The  event  is  to  transpire  at  Hartford, 
and  that  points  to  South  Norwalk  and  on  to  New 
York.  Sister  Julia  proposes  to  go  also,  and  take 
little  Mary.  So  we  rejoice  in  hope  to  see  our  dear 
sisters  and  our  dear  brother  soon  face  to  face. 

With  much  affection, 

S.  F.  Green. 

After  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Charles  S.  Sanders 
at  Hartford,  Dr.  Green  proceeded  to  South  Nor- 
walk where  his  sister  Mary  then  resided,  and  to 
New  York,  returning  after- a  few  weeks  to  Green 
Hill. 

Green  W\\A.,June  15,  1877. 

My  Dear  Brother  Andrew: 

....  As  to  my  going  to  Ceylon  again  for 
awhile.     Theoretically  there  is  much  to  do  here. 


350  Question  of  returii  to  Ceylon.  [A.  D.  1877. 

but  practically  next  to  nothing.  The  uncertainty 
of  life  aside,  there  seems  a  fair  probability  of  ten 
or  fifteen  years  yet  for  me.  As  to  the  needs  and 
modes  among  the  Tamils,  I  have  ceased  to  be  a 
novice.  As  to  man's  doings,  I  think  "Surely  they 
are  disquieted  in  vain,"  except  so  far  as  directly  or 
indirectly  their  endeavors  advantage  minds  and 
souls.  Your  long  and  able  administration  of  the 
Park  has  indirectly  this  advantage  largely,  for  it 
favors  virtue  in  multitudes  for  generations.  Your 
arduous  struggle  with  political  corruption  also  has 
presented  an  edifying  spectacle  to  many.  Though 
I  am  not  strong— I  never  was  strong — yet  I  have 
been  sustained  to  accomplish  twice  ten  years  of 
hard  and  very  necessary  work;  viork  which,  though 
less  energetic,  may  be  no  less  effective  towards 
the  elevation  of  a  degraded  people.  Although  I 
cannot  emulate  your  example  in  providing  liberal- 
ly and  tenderly  for  relations,  perhaps  I  may  and 
should  emulate  it  in  attempting  the  good  of 
others,  even  with  impaired  vigor,  as  you  are  now 
doing.  .  .  . 

Ever  and  affectionately, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

To  the  inquiry  of  the  Secretary  of  the  A.  B.  C. 
F.  M.  in  May,  "  What  are  your  thoughts  at  present 
in  reference  to  a  return  ?"  Dr.  Green  replied,  "  We 
are  praying,  waiting  and  hoping  .  .  .  We  trust 
to  be  on  our  way  within  a  year."     In  July,  inquiries 


Aetat.  54.]  Adverse  decision.  351 

were  made,  to  which  he  returned  answer  as  follows: 
"I  propose  to  return  with  Mrs.  Green,  leaving  the 
children  in  America,  all  of  them.  We  would  pro- 
pose to  remain  away  for  ten  years,  more  or  less, 
as  long  as  life  and  health  granted  may  warrant. 
I  would  like  to  complete  the  series  of  Medical  Text 
Books  if  circumstances  favor.  For  this  two  or 
three  years  would  probably  be  required.  After 
this  I  would  like  to  do  what  I  can  in  the  produc- 
tion of  religious  books.  Of  course  I  should  count 
all  medical  work  as  merely  accessory  to  evangeli- 
zation. In  the  Medical  Class,  in  the  Dispensary, 
etc.,  it  is  always  the  aim  to  give  a  distinctively 
evangelistic  character  to  all  that  is  done.  Should 
the  woi'k  so  develop  that  I  could  ultimately  dele- 
gate all  but  the  direct  teaching  and  preaching  of 
the  gospel,  I  should  be  only  too  glad  to  avail  of 
the  higher  privilege." 

Within  a  week  of  this  reply, the  Secretary  wrote: 
"  So  after  a  careful  consideration  of  the  case,  having 
in  view  your  children  and  your  own  health,  the 
advanced  condition  of  the  Medical  Department 
in  Ceylon  in  consequence  of  your  past  labors,  and 
the  adjustment  made  there  in  your  long  absence, 
the  Committee  did  not  think  it  expedient  for  you 
to  return." 

Dr.  Green  reported  the  substance  and  result 
of  the  correspondence    to    the    members    of    the 


352  Fraycrfur  "  Sours  Abodes  [A.  D.  1877. 

American  Ceylon  Mission,  saying,  "Nevertheless, 
in  heart  and  till  death  we  wish  to  be  accounted 
as  members  of  the  same  Mission  with  you." 

In  August  Dr.  Green  informed  the  Secretary 
of  the  Ceylon  Mission  that  he  had  in  hand  the 
last  pages  of  the  Physiology  for  revision,  giving 
detailed  directions  about  printing  it,  and  asking 
the  decision  of  the  Mission  as  to  printing  this, 
and  as  to  translating  and  printing  the  next  two 
volumes  in  the  contemplated  series. 

His  little  work  The  SouPs  Abode  was  furnished 
with  the  following  prayer  in  English  and  in  Tamil, 
one  to  be  inserted  at  the  beginning  and  the  other 
at  the  end,  in  the  second  edition,  which  illustrates 
the  way  he  endeavored  to  impress  the  readers  of 
his  scientific  treatises  with  their  intimate  relation 
to  Christianity: 

"  My  Father  in  heaven,  I  come  to  Thee  through 
the  mediation  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  praise  Thee 
for  so  fearfully  ancl  wonderfully  making  me.  I 
praise  Thee  for  preserving  this  body,  so  complex, 
amid  the  many  perils  which  constantly  menace 
it;  for  constituting  my  senses  inlets  for  so  much 
knowledge  and  pleasure;  for  the  comfortable  occu- 
pancy of  my  body  and  for  the  enjoyable  use  of 
its  various  functions  and  members. 

"1  render  Thee  the  acceptable  offering  of  a 
broken    heart  and  a  contrite  spirit,  and  humbly 


Aetat.  55."  Further piiblicaHons. 


confess  all  my  sinfulness,  and  pray   Thee  to  par- 
don and  cleanse  me  for  Jesus'  sake. 

"  I  adore  Thee  for  addino-  to  thy  o'oodness  that 
wondrous  love  manifested  in  sending-  Him,  thine 
only  Son,  to  redeem  me  from  the  slavery,  the 
guilt  and  the  punishment  of  sin.  Accept  Thou 
my  body  as  a  living-  sacrifice.  Aid  Thou  me  dili- 
gently  to  observe  temperance,  cleanliness  and 
every  means  to  its  health,  and  enable  me  to  keep 
it  pure  from  every  selfish  or  vicious  use. 

"  Pervade  me  so  fully  that  my  eye,  my  tongue, 
my  hand,  my  every  faculty,  shall  act  ever  kindly 
and  helpfully.  Do  Thou  so  mold  all  my  habits 
and  dispositions  that  I  ma)^  with  all  meetness, 
pass  from  out  this  mortal  body  into  that  spiritual 
body  which  Thou  wilt  bestow  on  each  one  who 
loves  Thee . 

"And  Thine  for  ever  shall  be  the  glory,  through 
Jesus  Christ.     Amen." 

On  receiving  the  completed  translation  of  Dal- 
iorts  Physiology,  the  Mission  decided  to  publish 
it,  and  also  to  publish  the  Pkarmacopceia  of 
India  and  Taylor  s  Medical  Jurisprudence,  when 
these  also  should  be  translated.  Dr.  Vaittilino^am» 
alias  Chapman,  was  justifying  expectations  to  a 
good  degree  by  his  perseverance  in  translation 
and  by  the  general  excellence  of  his  work.  He 
began   to  translate  the  Pkarmacopceia  of  India, 


354  -5"////  %vorki/i,i^for  the  Tiunils.  [A.  D.  1878. 


and  thus  furnished  Dr.  Green  with  important 
work  still  to  do  for  the  Tamils.  But  on  account 
of  various  interruptions,  particularly  the  "reading 
and  re-reading  and  re-re-reading"  of  the  proof- 
sheets  of  the  Physiology  as  it  slowly  passed  through 
the  Manepy  press,  nearly  three  years  were  con- 
sumed in  the  translation.  Though  the  progress 
was  very  unsatisfactory  to  Dr.  Green,  perhaps  it 
was  fully  compensated  for  by  other  advantages ; 
it  relieved  him  from  being  driven  beyond  his 
strength,  and  left  him  time  for  translating  The 
Believing  Tradesman  and  The  Shepherd  of  Salis- 
bury Plain,  besides  making  improvements  with 
reference  to  a  second  edition  of  his  works. 

For  several  weeks  in  January  and  February 
Dr.  Green  was  away  from  Green  Hill,  visiting 
his  friends  in  Connecticut  and  New  York  City, 
"enjoying  much,"  besides  profiting  from  the  cessa- 
tion of  work.  Yet  at  New  York  he  was  at  home 
almost  as  much  as  he  was  at  Green  Hill. 

Green   Hill,  March  26,  1878. 

My  Dear  Brother  Martin: 

I  hope  you  are  having  a  real  good  time. 
I  am  expecting  your  visit  to  prove  a  triple  refresh- 
ment to  you,  and  may  the  great  Ruler  so  cause  it. 
The  change  is  so  entire,  the  society  you  will  have 


Aetat.  55.]  Letter  to  his  brother  Martin.  355 

* 

SO  ennobling,  and  the  scenes  so  interesting  and 
varied.  Surely  those  so  favored  as  are  you  and  I 
should  not  only  be  very  happy,  but  steadily  ad- 
vancino;  in  the  best  thmp's. 

I  believe  there  is  a  purpose  to  follow  up  the 
Bible  readings  here.  I  imagined  you  last  Sunday 
hearing  Dr.  Deems  with  our  beloved  nephew, 
and  one  of  the  Plymouth  Brethren  with  our  sister. 
I  hope  also  you  may  once  go  to  Olivet  Chapel. 
I  am  surprised  that  for  the  far  greater  portion  of 
my  Bible  apprehension  I  am  indebted  to  the  re- 
marks of  men.  I  see  in  this  the  utility  of  converse 
on  Scriptural  topics.  1  see  one  of  the  advantages 
of  the  "communion  of  saints."  Had  we  better  not 
be  growingly  unwilling  to  allow  Earth  overmuch 
of  our  discourse,  and  increasingly  intent  that  spirit- 
ual themes  shall  form  its  staple  .^  .  .  . 

lam'your  affectionate  and  grateful  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

To  Rev.  William  Evans  of  Liverpool,  England, 

ON  THE  DEATH  OF  HIS  WIFE. 

Green  Hill,  Worcester,  Mass.,  U.  S.  A., 

March  26,  1878. 

My  Dear  Mr.  Evans: 

Allow  me,  for  myself  and  for  all  your  friends 
at  Green  Hill,  to  express  to  you  our  lively  sym- 
pathy with  you  in  your  recent  bereavement.     I  well 


356  Letter  to  Rev.   Willimn  Evans.  [A.  D.  1878. 


know  how  poor  is  human  sympathy;  that  it  can 
only  speak  to  the  ear;  but  I  still  can  rejoice  that 
the  Comforter  does  condescend  to  use  even  the 
feeblest  agency  in  his  consolatory  dealings  with 
the  wounded  heart.  We  wish  to  commend  you 
earnestly  to  the  Lord  and  the  word  of  His  grace. 
We  ask  that  His  word,  read  of  you  beneath  the 
shadow  of  affliction,  beam  out  with  new  signifi- 
cance in  the  many  promises  pertinent  to  seasons 
of  sorrow,  and  that  they  may  flood  you  with  seren- 
ity while  you  sit  under  His  shadow,  delighting 
yourself  in  the  Lord. 

As  children  of  God,  it  is  our  privilege  to  exceed 
resignation  under  the  Lord's  permissive  provi- 
dence, and  to  rest  in  the  assurance  that  such 
experience  is  but  the  will  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus 
concerning  us.  Though  in  these  sharp  trials  the 
love  of  God  may  momentarily  be  obscured,  our 
faith,  fed  on  His  word,  will  soon  again  rejoice  in 
Him  and  '  gratefully  own  that  He  is  good  and 
doeth  good.  We  shall  not  only  say  as  reasoners, 
"The  Lord  gave  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away," 
but  as  loving  children  we  shall  add,  "  Blessed  be 
the  name  of  the  Lord."  What  opportunity  to 
magnify  the  grace  of  our  Heavenly  Father  is 
afforded  by  these  trying  dispensations  in  the  exhi- 
bition of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit.  While  we  give 
sorrow  its  due  and  shed  tears,  as  did  the  blessed 
Jesus  himself,  we  can  leave  our  departed  in  His 
presence,  and  therein  with  them  rejoice  all  the 
more.  We  may  contemplate  the  fragments  of 
our  broken  schemes  long  enough  to  realize  the 
significance  of  the  divine  dealing,  but  early  use 


Aetat.  55.]  Letter  to  Dr.  Lane,  357 


our  privilege  to  admire  the  results  of  the  seeming 
•disaster;  to  the  liberated  how  glorious!  to  the 
bereaved  how  blessed!  Let  us  learn  to  regard 
death  more  and  more  as  the  entrance  on  the  life 
eternal,  try  to  realize  the  greetings  of  the  "just 
made  perfect,"  as  the  bright  side  of  the  sighs  and 
tears  of  those  left  behind.  As  the  soul  released 
passes  beyond  earth-born  clouds,  how  must  it 
catch  on  its  pinions  the  radiance  of  the  then  fully 
disclosed  Sun  of  Righteousness,  and  sweep  upward 
all  refulgent  to  enter  the  streets  of  gold ! — -May 
the  Comforter  whisper  to  you  sweet  consolations 
out  of  his  own  Word,  and  so  cheer  your  hours  of 
loneliness  that  you  shall  be  less  and  less  lonely 
by  being  filled  with  the  divine  companionship. 

As  afflicted  in   your    affliction,  we    remain    in 
tenderest  sympathy  your  friends, 

Samuel  F.  Green,  and  others. 


To  Dr.  Lane. 

Green   Hill,  April  17,  1878. 

My  Dear  Dr.  Lane: 

I  am  much  interested  to  learn  of  your 
entrance  into  the  Medical  Profession.  Allow  me 
to  extend  you  a  hearty  welcome,  and  to  wish  you 
a  long  and  useful  career. 

I  was  re-born  a  physician  thirty-three  years  ago. 
I  have  never  desired  to  change  my  vocation.  I 
have  yet  to  see  another  calling  a  better  way  to 


358  Letter  to  Dr.  Lane.  (A.  D.  1878. 


usefulness.  I  am  glad  to  have  relieved  bodily 
suffering,  and  gladder  to  have  found,  in  course  of 
professional  ministry,  opportunity  to  speak  a  word 
to  those  that  are  weary  or  to  those  out  of  the  way. 

Your  position  on  the  frontier  is  no  doubt  labo- 
rious; but  all  things,  through  providence,  work  in 
compensation.  I  hope  you  may  see  one  reward 
of  your  hardships  in  the  privilege  of  influencing 
a  nascent  community  for  all  that  is  virtuous  and 
noble.  When  we  may  in  the  next  century  look 
down  from  the  skies,  we  shall,  I  expect,  see  the 
name  Lane  numerous  and  esteemed  throughout 
the  heart  of  our  country. 

Were  it  not  sinful  I  could  envy  you  the  large 
investment  vouchsafed  you  in  the  population  of 
our  land.  May  the  Giver  of  the  precious  group 
give  you  daily  strength  to  train  them  for  His 
service  on  earth  and  His  presence  in  heaven, 
"  Unbending  firmness,  unwearied  love,"  is  a  for- 
mula I  have  found  helpful.  The  word  of  God 
commends  to  us  patience  as  the  way  to  perfection; 
and  so  it  must  be  a  powerful  adjuvant  to  perfect 
our  children,  I  have  felt  helped  by  the  sentiment, 
"We  must  be  ourselves  what  we  would  have  our 
children  be,"  Regarding  the  Bible  as  "the  great- 
est book  of  morals,"  I  feel  the  daily  gathering  of 
the  family  around  the  word  of  God,  to  read  it 
deliberately  with  prayer  and  song,  as  so  powerful 
a  mean  to  the  highest  development,  that  I  have 
grown  to  consider  this  method  a  sine  qua  non. 
— With  love  from  us  each  to  every  one  of  you,  I 
am  yours  fraternally, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


Aetat.  55.]  Change.  359 

Green  Hill,  April  2 t^,  1878. 

My  Dear  Brother  Andrew: 

....  We  had  a  very  interesting  letter 
from  the  oldest  member  of  the  Jaffna  Mission  last 
evening.  Our  fine  old  premises  at  Manepy  are 
left  vacant  and  forsaken.  It  would  be  a  joy  to 
me  to  have  had  some  of  the  pictures  in  our  life 
there  actually  observed  and  experienced  by  my 
sisters  and  brothers.  I  imagine  some  of  your 
Trinidad  scenes  you  would  like  framed  in  the 
galleries  of  sisterly  and  brotherly  memory.  These 
pictures  are  of  our  lasting  heritage  on  earth,  for 
the  outward  is  ever  changing  and  passing  away. 
We  are  impelled  repeatedly  to  "improve"  even 
some  of  the  dearest  of  them  from  our  sight  for 
ever;  for  example,  eradicating  homestead,  banish- 
ing heirlooms,  etc.  Change  is  the  very  tissue  of 
our  existence,  and  were  change  to  halt,  misery 
would  begin.  Let  us  adopt  it  then  as  an  abiding 
factor  in  all  our  plans.  The  greater  any  change, 
the  greater  may  be  the  gain.  What  gain  for  the 
body  to  change  from  the  natural  to  the  spiritual, 
from  the  vile  to  the  glorious!  What  gain  for  the 
soul  to  change  in  the  Zenith  moment  of  regen- 
eration from  self  to  the  Saviour,  from  sin  to  holi- 
ness, from  the  death  eternal  to  the  everlasting 
life!  ... 

Ever  and  affectionately, 

Your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


360  Regarding  return  lo  Ceylon.  (A.  D.  1878. 

To  THE  Rev.  W.W.  Howland,  Tillipally,  Ccylon. 

Green   Hill,  Worcester,  Mass. 
May  7,   187S. 

My  Dear  Brother  Howland: 

We  were  rejoiced  by  the  arrival  of  your  letter 
of  26th  March  last  evening.  ...  I  feel  heartened 
by  your  speaking  so  sanguinely  as  to  our  return- 
ing. I  had  a  letter  recently  from  Dr.  Clark.  He 
says:  "How  are  you  now.f*  We  received  not: 
long  since  very  warm  expressions  of  regard  for 
you  from  the  Ceylon  Missionaries,  and  the  express- 
ed desire  that  vou  mio-ht  return.  ...  I  have 
informed  them  of  our  respect  and  high  regard  for 
you,  and  that  it  was  a  question  of  health  with  you 
and  your  friends."  In  a  letter  to  Brother  Hastings 
you  will  see  our  own  opinion  as  to  the  adequacy 
of  our  health.  Our  opinion  we  had  corroborated 
by  experts,  and  made  our  offer  of  return  in  per- 
fectly good  faith. 

Were  the  Committee  generally  to  proceed  upon 
the  basis  of  the  expostulations  of  relatives,  I  should 
not  have  returned  to  Ceylon  in  1862;  neither 
would  you,  nor  would  Brother  Hastings.  Surely 
those  to  whom  relatives  can  be  indifferent  are 
not  likely  to  prove  the  most  acceptable  and  effec- 
tive workers  abroad.  I  hope  the  Mission  will  see 
it  expedient  to  put  more  or  less  of  the  logic  of  all 
this  very  kindly  before  the  Prudential  Committee. 
As  you  saw  a  providence  in  our  detention  in  1862 
from  going  by  the  Resolute  to  go  in  the  Star  of 


Aetat.  55.]         Letter  to  Rev.   W.   W.  Hozaland.  361 

Peace,  so  a  providence  may  ultimately  appear 
in  our  being  delayed  from  1877  to  1879.  It  would 
seem  that  if  you  all  direct  attention  to  the  facts 
as  to  our  health,  the  last  obstruction  .  .  .  may  be 
removed.  I  do  not  wish  to  be  wilful  in  this  mat- 
ter ;  but  if  it  may  please  "  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  " 
to  put  us  alongside  our  dearly  beloved  and  longed 
for  among  our  adopted  people,  we  shall  rejoice, 
and  hope  for  another  term,  through  His  goodness, 
effective  and  completory. 

We  have  been  favored  with  somewhat  of  a 
revival  lately.  "Fervent  in  spirit"  has  been  the 
human  agency  in  it.  Fancy  one  lighting  up  the 
lamps  with  an  icicle.  The  icicle  may  be  well 
shaped  and  brilliant,  but  it  will  only  leave  the 
house  or  street  dark  and  cheerless.  When  we  get 
empty  wholly  of  self  and  filled  with  the  Holy 
Ghost,  then  we  are  fit  for  the  Lord's  use  in  His 
great  ever-present  and  continued  work  of  rescuing 
souls.  Get  rid  of  the  spectre  of  self  so  that  its 
shadow  shall  not  obscure  the  radiance  of  the  Sun 
of  Righteousness  within  us ;  then  we  can  let  our 
light  shine,  for  we  shall  have  indeed  the  light  of 
life  to  emit.  .  .  . 

With  love  to  all  four  from  us  each  and  all. 

Affectionately, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Green  Hill,  May  17,  1878. 
My  Dear  Brother  Andrew: 

.  .  .  We  cannot  reach  the  highest  develop- 
ment save  by  deciding  for  God  against  the  world. 
34 


362  The  world  versus  God.  [A.  D.  1878. 

For  any  worthy  superstructure  we  must  have  a 
proper  foundation.  So  long  as  in  us  is  the  rotten- 
ness of  unforgiven  sin,  we  have  no  right  basis  upon 
which  to  upbuild.  We  never  can  get  the  requisite 
forgiveness  while  we  prefer  the  world  to  God. 
We  must  come  to  the  choice  of  the  better,  the 
enduring,  in  the  relinquishing  of  what  may  be 
pleasing  but  is  transitory  and  treacherous.  Al- 
though you  have  had  a  deal  of  hard  work,  and 
have  had  to  pass  through  much  contumely,  still  on 
the  whole  the  Good  Father  has  vouchsafed  you  an 
extraordinarily  prosperous  career,  and  I  believe 
you  are  gratefully  conscious  of  this.  -I  fear, 
however,  you  are  to  some  extent  unconsciously 
beckoned  toward  that  world  which  is  in  revolt 
against  God,  and  which  by  its  various  blandish- 
ments is  leading  you  from  Him.  Those  influen- 
tial, pampered,  pompous  ones  who  procured  the 
rejection  of  Jesus  for  Barabbas,  were  the  gentry 
of  the  place  and  time.  Their  dinners,  their 
operas,  their  style  were  the  daily  environing  of 
those  who  could  applaud  Jesus  the  Philanthropist 
and  Philosopher,  but  would  scorn  Jesus  as  the 
forgiver  of  ^keir  sins.  Through  all  ages  humanity 
is  at  heart  the  same,  and  we  are  to  decide  each 
for  himself  which  company  we  prefer. 

If  amid  winning  carolling  and  jocosity  the  name 
and  work  of  Jesus  sound  incongruous  and  find  no 
welcome,  then  what  business  has  His  follower 
there  .f^  If  he  prefers  this,  then  is  he  not  a  follower 
of  the  world? 

But  paper  fails;  let  us  talk-  it — better,  let  each 


Aetat.  55.1        Power,  Wisdom  and  Love  of  God.  363 


be  much  over  the  Gospels  and  Epistles,  and  attend 
to  what  the  Spirit  shall  utter. 

Ever  lovingly, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Green   Hill,  June  4,  1878. 
My  Dear  Sisters: 

...  I  imagine  you  three  enjoying  each 
other's  presence  vastly.  And  yet  how  each  human 
life  is  alien  to  each  other  human  life.  We  only 
grow  into  sound  union  as  we  grow  into  God.  He 
would  seem  to  be  the  grand  Cementer  of  all  good 
or  redeemed  spirits  of  the  universe.  Our  oneness 
as  children  of  the  same  family  by  blood  is  oneness 
because  the  God  of  Nature  has  made  it  so. 
Pleasant  as  this  oneness  is,  it  only  hints  the  unifi- 
cation of  His  children,  which  he  will  accomplish 
by  grace.  The  trinity  of  God  exists  also  in  His 
Power,  His  Wisdom  and  His  Love.  The  first 
characterizes  His  volume  of  Nature,  the  second. 
His  volume  of  Providence,  the  third  His  volume 
of  Grace,  although  in  each  all  three  of  these 
qualities  are  clearly  seen.  Each  of  us  has  as 
much  of  God  as  he  wills  to  have.  Whoever  will 
have  the  Love  of  God  has  all  three.  Whoever 
will  have  but  the  Power  will  lack  the  other  two. 
How  terrible,  at  the  instant  of  disembodiment,  to 
feel  but  the  grasp  of  Power  clinched  into  every 
crevice  of  one's  being.     How  blessed  to  feel  the 


364  Leiter  to  his  brother  Andrew.  [A.  D.  1878. 


enfolding  of  Love,  and  to  know  it  enwraps  one 
forever.  .  .  , 


Affectionately, 


Samuel  F.  Green. 


Green  Y\.\\A.,June  6,  1878. 

My  Dear  Brother  Andrew: 

I  went  to-day,  with  all  my  family,  to  Green- 
ville*. .  .  .  We  looked  thoroughly  over  the  old 
garrison  house.  All  then  drank  from  the  well. 
House  built  in  171 1.  .  .  .  We  went  quite  through 
the  village,  so  as  to  see  how  it  looks  beyond  the 
churchyard.  .  .  .  W^e.  read  the  epitaphs  of  our 
venerated  progenitor  and  his  wife.  We  saw  the 
place  where  lie  the  remains  of  "Father  Dunbar." 
.  .  .  We  all  looked  at  the  traditional  spot  where 
the  cow  defended  her  calf,  and  afforded  milk  to 
the  lone  settler  in  his  fever.  .  .^  .  The  weather 
was  most  propitious,  and  we  exceedingly  enjoyed 
the  excursion. 

It  is  a  continual  marvel  to  me  that  in  a  sm-cursed 
earth  we  should  have  so  much  of  happiness. 
Gaussen  speaks  of  our  preservation  as  a  contin- 
uous creation.  How  the  goodness  and  mercy  of 
the  ever  blessed  Lord  Jesus  unceasingly  environs, 
enwraps    and    enfolds    \js!      And  this  will  be  in 

*In    Leicester,    Mass.,    where    his    great-grandfather    had 
built  a  church,  and  was  for  thirty-five  years  its  pastor. 


Aetat.  55.]  Letter  to  his  nephew.  365 

closest  contact  forever.  If  gratefully  accepted, 
what  bliss  it  will  constitute;  if  coldly  ignored, 
what  inextricable  misery. — We  are  all  well,  and 
all  join  in  much  love  to  your  dear  self. 

Ever  and  affectionately  your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


Green   Hill,  Attgust  14,   1878. 

My  Dear  Nephew: 

I  hope  you  are  having  a  very  profiting  and 
a  very  enjoyable  time.  Ranging  with  special 
advantages  among  so  very  much  that  is  interest- 
ing and  instructive,  you  must  be  daily  adding  to 
your  mental  stores.  Knowledge  is  primarily  out- 
side of  books.  A  book,  if  it  be  worthy,  is  but  a 
dip  from  the  vast  ocean  of  knowledge.  Who 
knows  what  eventually  you  are  going  to  dip  out 
and  diffuse  for  the  benefit  of  your  kind. 

A  child  once  answered  me,  to  the  question. 
What  is  the  difference  between  knowledge  and 
wisdom  ?  that  knowledge  knows  truth  and  wisdom 
uses  it.  The  majority,  perhaps  in  a  degree  all, 
know  more  than  they  use.  Our  Saviour  says, 
"  If  ye  know  these  things,  happy  are  ye  if  ye  do 
them."  Allow  me  a  suggestion  towards  greater 
wisdom.  Order  is  the  balance  wheel  of  business, 
and  punctuality  is  the  pivot  of  order.  As  prepar- 
atory to  business,  I  desire  that  you  cultivate  punc- 


366  Punctuality.  [A.  D.  1878. 

tuality  always  and  in  every  way.  You  seem 
admirably  punctual  in  your  attendance  at  school. 
I  wish  you  would  try  to  be  equally  so  in  the  family. 
Regard  each  appointment  which  calls  the  house- 
hold together  in  common  as  obligatory,  apd  ever 
determine  to  meet  it  with  punctuality.  Particu- 
larly when  breakfasting  with  the  whole  family  be 
one  of  the  first  present,  and  more  particularly  on 
Sundays — when  the  hour  is  later  and  when  we  can 
honor  the  day.  I  would  be  happy  to  help  you  in 
this  if  you  request  me.  I  could  call  you  timeously 
if  you  desire  me  to  do  so.  Think  on  this:  You 
can  please  Jesus;  you  can  please  many  friends; 
you  can  foster  a  valuable  habit  for  your  business 
life;  you  may  one  day  be  the  head  of  a  household 
and  need  it.  You  can  assist  yourself  to  this  punct- 
uality by  retiring  earlier  the  evening  previous. 
"  Even  Christ  pleased  not  himself." 

Receive  lovingly  and  use  wisely  what  is  spoken 
lovingly  by  your  loving  uncle  to  his  beloved  and 
loving  Nephew.  May  blessings  increasingly  rest 
upon  you  by  your  "Walking  in  the  Spirit."  For 
each  age  in  our  life  and  for  every  condition  Jesus 
is  our  model.  Would  the  youthful  Jesus  be  a 
prompt  and  punctual  member  in  the  household  at 
Nazareth  ?  Come  home  when  you  have  completed 
your  visit,  and  give  us  occasional  and  quiet  narra- 
tives of  one  thing  and  another. — With  love  from 
all, 

Ever  and  affectionately, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


Aetat.  55. J  Reconsidering  returii.  367 

As  early  as  May,  Dr.  Green  learned  that  by 
"the  interposition  of  the  Mission"  the  Prudential 
Committee  had  been  induced  to  reconsider  their 
decision  as  to  the  Medical  Department.  Encour- 
aged perhaps  by  this,  and  by  the  assurance  that 
the  vote  of  the  Committee  against  his  return  was 
"solely  on  the  ground  of  health,"  he  requested  a 
reconsideration  of  that  decision:  "In  view  of  the 
urgent  call  of  the  Mission,  and  encouraged  by  the 
experience  of  Mr.  Tracy,  Mr.  Howland  and  others 
who  returned  feeble,  we  feel  it  our  duty  and  priv- 
ilege to  propose  again  a  return  to  our  adopted 
people.  I  feel  some  confidence  that  my  health  is 
now  such  that  I  could  comfortably  and  with  a 
good  degree  of  efhciency  meet  the  claims  of  the 
position."  Having  received  an  early  acknowledge- 
ment of  his  application,  he  ventured  to  add;  "I 
am  happy  to  find  that  I  have  ever  been  in  harmony 
with  the  Board  in  systematic  and  prospered  en- 
deavors to  advance  the  Medical  Department  of. 
the  Mission  towards  entire  self-support.  The 
greater  the  expenditure  of  time  and  money,  foster- 
ing any  beneficent  enterprise,  may  have  been,  the 
more  desirable  and  important  it  would  seem  to  be 
to  secure  the  legitimate  results.  It  should  not 
be  finished  by  dropping  it,  but  patiently  completed 
by  the  requisite  finishing  touches.  May  the 
Divine    example,  which  combined  Healing  with 


368  Question  as  to  sclf-suppoi  t.  [A.  D.  1878. 

Preaching,  duly  sway  the  Committee  in  dealing 
at  this  crisis  with  an  enterprise  just  now  entering 
with  great  promise  upon  its  closing  stage.  As  its 
foster-father  I  ask  for  it '  the  benefit  of  any  doubt '." 

The  Prudential  Committee,  however,  had  already 
been  considering  the  question  of  sending  out  some 
young  Christian  physician  and  giving  him  the 
use  of  the  prernises  at  Manepy,  on  condition  of 
no  further  support  from  the  Board.  In  view  of 
,  the  possiblity,  Dr.  Green  wrote  his  Mission : "  Then 
I  could  remain  here  and  work  at  translation,  God 
willing,  till  the  completion  of  the  series,  now  near; 
and  at  revision  as  new  editions  might  be  required." 

Before  leaving  Ceylon  in  1873,  Dr.  Green 
doubted  the  willingness  of  the  Prudential  Com- 
mittee to  continue  support  to  the  Medical  Depart- 
ment much  longer,  even  if  he  should  soon  be  able 
to  resume  the  charge  of  it.  When  the  question 
of  his  return  came  up,  they  decided,  on  the  care- 
fully considered  report  of  a  sub-committee,  that 
it  was  inexpedient  to  spend  anything  more  upon 
that  Department  in  Ceylon.  The  general  policy 
of  the  Board  required  its  relinquishment.  Yet  in 
view  of  his  own  desire  to  return,  and  the  Mission's 
desire  that  he  should  return,  they  finally  offered 
to  pay  the  passage  out  for  himself  and  Mrs.  Green, 
and  to  give  him  the  free  use  of  the  premises  of 
the  Department,  on  condition  of  the  Board  incur- 


Aetat.  56.]  Final  decismi.  Z^9 

M 

ring  no  further  pecuniary  liabilities.  In  view  of 
all  the  circumstances,  therefore,  he  did  not  deem 
it  prudent  to  assume  the  burden  of  supporting 
himself  by  medical  practice  while  the  completion 
of  his  literary  enterprise  would  require  so  much 
of  his  time  and  strength. 


CHAPTER    XXI 


1878-1880:    ^T.  56-58. 


A  NXIETY  for  the  continuance  of  the  Medical 
Department  had  led  Dr.  Green  to  send  a 
circular  letter  to  the  Mission,  giving  his  views  of 
the  policy  to  be  pursued  respecting  another  Class, 
the  application  to  be  made  to  the  Government 
for  continued  assistance,  and  the  relation  of  the 
hoped  for  American  physician  to  the  Mission  and 
Hospital;  and  he  was  now  waiting  prayerfully  for 
the  result 

Green   Hili.,  January  18,   1879. 

My  Dear  Brother  Oliver  : 

I  listen  occasionally  to  your  very  interest- 
ing remarks  on  men  and  things.  What  you  say 
of  your  own  dear  self  and  of  your  affairs  especially 
lays  hold  upon  my  heart. 

I  notice  here  and  there  expressions  of  depres- 
sion, of  discouragement  with  yourself.  Should  we 
not  think  lowly  of  ourselves,  as  much  so  as  we 
think  highly  of  the  Saviour?  Let  us  keep  working 
at   the   magazine    of    Salvation,    storing  in    the 


Aetat.  56.J  Letters  to  his  h7'others.  371 

knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ.  What  is  human  knowl- 
edge, what  accomplishment,  apart  from  faith  in 
Jesus?  A  godless  man  of  culture  and  learning  is 
as  a  corpse  perfumed  and  attired.  Let  us  look  at 
things  as  God  looks  at  them,  ourselves  included. 
We  are  just  now  reading  in  course  the  iith 
chapter  of  Hebrews.  We  are  much  sense-bound. 
There  is  no  worthy  walk  but  the  walk  of  faith. 
W^e  are  to  use  matter  as  subservient  to  mind,  the 
body  as  the  servant  of  the  soul.  The  natural  man 
is  condemned  and  only  waits  execution  and  burial. 
Havina:  died  to  sin,  we  are  in  all  thino-s — little 
daily  matters — to  walk  in  newness  of  life.  Let 
us  be  constantly  in  communion  with  the  ever  pres- 
ent Saviour,  "enduring  as  seeing  Him  who  is 
invisible"  to  worldlings.  We  are  more. than  half 
through  our  race;  let  us  run  the  rest  with  patience, 
by  God's  grace  enduring  to  the  end. 
With  love  for  and  from  each  and  all. 

Ever  and  affectionately, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Green   Hill,  February  24,  1879. 

My  Dear  Brother  Andrew: 

Were  my  letters  the  tithes  of  my  thoughts 
of  you  they  would  be  more  frequent.  How  much 
even  the  nearest  of  kin  are  outsiders  to  each  other. 
Human  mind  can  impress  itself  on  human  mind, 
but  can  never,  as  the   Divine  mind,  enter  upon 


37 2  Letter  to  his  brother  Andrew.  [A.  D.  1879. 

and  blend  with  a  soul.  Jesus  offers  to  do  thus 
for  each  of  us.  What  a  glorious  reality  to  have 
Him  in  His  infinity  of  wisdom,  power  and  love 
mingle  in  our  being,  and  be  to  us  the  fullness  of 
these  attributes.  He  seeks  the  occupancy  of  our 
will.  The  will  is  the  central  citadel  of  the  man. 
It  seems  among  the  faculties  as  the  head  among 
the  members.  The  door  is  thrown  open  for  the 
admission  of  the  eternal  life,  not  by  admiration, 
not  by  reverence,  not  by  mere  sentiment,  but  solely 
by  submission, .by  unconditional  surrender.  We 
give  up  self  wholly  and  become  filled  with  Christ. 
We  cannot,  to  any  practical  purpose,  understand 
this  without  the  Spirit's  teaching.  "  The  things 
of  God,  knoweth  no  man,  but  the  Spirit  of  God." 
"  No  man  can  call  Jesus  Lord  (i.  e.  Master)  but  by 
the  Holy  Ghost."  How  importunately  should  we 
cry  for  the  gift  of  the  Spirit  then,  as  we  can  only 
through  his  light  and  presence  even  begin  the 
spiritual  life. 

The  ditty  has  it,  "  I  dreamed  I  slept  in  marble 
halls."  The  dream  for  me  and  mine  is  surpassed 
in  the  reality.  "  The  lines "  for  us  have  indeed 
"fallen  in  pleasant  places."  For, this  I  thank  first 
the  Lord  and  secondly  yourself  and  the  sisters. 
I  yearn  to  have  you  happy,  first  at  heart  and  then 
in  your  surroundings.  I  sorrow  to  imagine  you 
dejected  and  worn.  Is  there  not  danger,  think 
you,  of  a  crowded  life  becoming  with  you  a  second 
nature .?  Having  secured,  as  you  have,  a  comfort- 
able competence,  why  not  remit,  and  use  a  larger 
and  larger  proportion  of  leisure.?     It  would  seem 


Aetat.  56.]  Letter  to  Dr.  Mitzzy.  373 

this  policy  would  afford  you  more  enjoyment 
current,  and  unquestionably  more  favorably  bear 
on  your  future.  If  God  has  given  us  all  our  time, 
first  for  Himself,  second  for  our  soul,  and  thirdly 
for  other  things,  what  shall  we  say  to  Him  if  we 
use  it  mainly  for  the  tertiaries  ?  Put  on  the  brakes 
and  live  longer  and  live  happier.  .  .  . 

Ever  and  affectionately. 

Your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


To  Dr.  Muzzy. 
Green  Hill,  March  22,  1879. 
My  dear  Arthur: 

.  .  .  Don't,  because  disappointed,  be  dis- 
couraged. "Try,  try  again."  "Why  art  thou 
cast  down?  hope  thou  in  God."  Use  your  utmost 
endeavors  for  success,  but  cheerfully  allow  the 
Lord  to  choose  for  you.  Perhaps  He  sees  you 
bent  on  self-promotion  and  intimates  to  you  that 
you  are  to  seek  other  ends  in  other  lines.  The 
word  says,  "  Ephraim  is  an  empty  vine,  he  bears 
fruit  (now?)  to  himself."  "Seek  first  the  kingdqm 
of  God"— within  you,  around  you. 

Have  you  duly  weighed  the  Medical  Mission 
work;  duly  considered  the  imperative  call  for 
Christian    physicians    among   the    darkened   and 

35 


374  Letter  fo  Dr.  Muzzy.  [A.  D.  1879- 

degraded  of  other  lands?  If  you  think  yourself 
unworthy  so  honored  a  work,  and  feel  it  would 
be  high  privilege  to  consecrate  all  your  powers  to 
the  cause  of  the  Great  Healer,  in  the  position  of 
patron-physician  to  some  tens  of  thousands  in  one 
of  the  many  wide  wastes  of  Heathendom,  then 
offer  yourself  for  His  acceptance  and  use. 

Resolutely  face  the  present  situation  and  go 
forward,  serenely  trusting  in  the  Lord  ever  near 
yet  within  the  believer's  heart.  He  will  vouchsafe 
you  all  the  success  that  is  good  for  you.  But 
while  looking  to  Him  solely,  still  work  for  the 
blessing,  recollecting  that  "obstacles  exist  to  be 
overcome."  You  will  find  much  promised  "to 
him  that  overcometh."  See  close  of  each  of  the 
seven  epistles  to  the  seven  churches,  in  the  Apoc- 
alypse, chapters  second  and  third.  There  is  per- 
haps nothing  so  powerful  as  struggling  to  develop 
character.  So,  hopefully  and  courageously  struggle 
on,  but  ever  in  communion  with  Jesus.  He  is 
ready  to  take  any  one  of  us  into  His  company  and 
to  put  His  resources  at  our  disposal,  "He  that 
spared  not  his  own  Son,  but  delivered  Him  up 
for  us  all,  how  shall  He  not  with  Him  also  freely 
give  us  all  things.^*" 

Hoping  some  day  not  distant  to  congratulate 
you  on  the  barriers  surmounted,  the  success 
achieved,  the  desire  accomplished,  I  remain 

Your  friend, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


Aetat.  56.]  To  his  Tamil  assistant.  375 


To  Dr.  Vaittilingam. 

Green  Hill,  Worcester,  Mass., 
April  29,   1879. 

My  Dear  Chapman: 

We  are  always  glad  to  find  in  the  envelope 
of  translation  a  few  lines  of  news  as  to  our  friends, 
acquaintances  and  others  in  our  chosen  Jaffna. 
Anything  about  the  Medical  Graduates  interests 
us.  We  shall  specially  rejoice  over  any  leading 
unselfish  lives;  walking  before  the  Lord  Jesus  in 
purity,  honesty  and  kindness.  .  .  . 

Let  us  recollect  that  the  purpose  of  our  life 
fi-om  day  to  day  must  be  testimony  for  Jesus,  and 
that  the  way  to  witness  for  Jesus  is  to  be  in  com- 
munion with  Jesus.  No  communion,  no  testimony; 
no  testimony,  no  life.  "Ephraim  is  an  empiyvmQ, 
he  beareth  fruit  unto  himsel/r  The  unselfish 
loving  life  is  truly  life;  the  selfish  life  is  death. 
We  are  good  for  nothing  apart  from  Jesus.  Let 
us  then  be  always  praying,  or  praising,  or  adoring 
Jesus  in  our  thoughts.  Then  will  our  mouth  also 
show  forth  His  praise,  and  sinners  shall  be  con- 
verted unto  Him. 

With  kind  regards  for  and  from  each. 

Truly, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


376  Letter  to  his  brother  Oliver.  [A.  D.  1879. 

Green   Hill,  May  2,   1879. 

My  Dear  Brother  Oliver: 

You  are  much  on  my  mind,  and  I  find  real 
comfort  in  commending  you  to  the  great  Lover 
of  souls.  Household  arrangements,  sickness  in 
the  family,  business  claims  far  and  near,  the  inner 
life  struggles,  all  combine  in  pressure  on  your  will. 
Could  we  not  say,  "The  Lord  is  the  strength  of 
my  life,"  "  I  can  do  all  things  through  Christ  who 
strengtheneth  me,"  we  should  often  falter  in  our 
pilgrimage.  "The  joy  of  the  Lord  shall  be  your 
strength."  What  a  cordial — tonic  this  is!  Let 
us  each  morning  pray  over  the  Scripture  and 
kindle  up  a  glow  of  spirit;  then,  joyful  in  the  Lord, 
we  shall  sail  as  at  flood  tide  through  the  cares  of 
the  day.  Having  Jesus  on  board,  we  shall  make, 
each  evening,  the  port  of  Peace. 

'  I  have  been  reading  lately  some  of  Mr.  Andrew 
Juke's  thoughts,  and  still  more  recently  some  of 
Mr.  C.  H.  Mackintosh's  thoughts.  Both  seem 
followers  of  Jesus  and  devoutly  studious  of  His 
word.  I  feel  instructed  by  them,  and  yet  I  feel 
jealous  lest  I  may  be  led  disproportionately  by 
man  and  too  little  by  the  Bible.  "  Be  not  carried 
about  by  divers  and  strange  doctrines."  "  It  is  a 
good  thing  that  the  heart  be  established  by  grace." 
Grace  coipes  not  from  man,  but  from  God  through 
the  channels  He  has  appointed  for  us.  We  have 
just  as  much  grace  as  we  will  live,  and  we  live  just 
in  so  far  as  we  love.  .  .  . 

Affectionately, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


Aetat.  56.]  Glimpses  of  home,  377 

Green  Hill,  May  14,  1879. 

My  Dear  Brother  Andrew: 

The  "peep  frogs  "  we  captured  have  broken 
jail.  We  proposed  kteeping  them  till  they  had 
peeped  in  your  hearing.  We  found  they  would 
peep  twenty  to  thirty  times  at  once.  I  had  sup- 
posed always  a  single  peep  answered  by  a  neigh- 
bor's, and  so  in  the  many  shrill  pipings,  fancy 
peopled  the  swamps  and  pools  with  hundreds  of 
happy  denizens,  where  now  one  is  forced  to  rec- 
ognize but  tens.  Were  it  not  for  the  conviction 
that  truth  is  on  the  whole  more  the  source  of 
enjoyment,  one  might  deprecate  the  dissipation 
of  his  pleasant  illusions.  But  let  us  ever  have 
the  substantial  before  the  showy.  How  our  dear 
father  always  preferred  the  sound,  broad,  liberal 
thing  in  all  his  arrangements.  The  older  I  grow 
the  more  grows  upon  me  a  sense  of  his    nobility. 

The  spring  is  upon  us  in  all  its  blossoms  and 
verdure.  The  song  of  birds,  the  hum  of  bees,  all 
is  fresh,  wakened  from  the  sleep  of  winter.  How 
steady  the  circling  of  the  seasons.  How  surely 
return  in  order  seedtime  and  harvest,  according 
to  that  word  which  is  firmer  than  the  hills.  Dear 
Brother  Martin  is  stirring  all  over  the  domain; 
ditching,  walling,  plowing,  planting,  all  in  process 
together.  He  is  indefatigable,  and  amid  the  press 
of  occupation  his  inherited  vivacity  lightens  care. 

I  took  a  ramble  with  the  younger  children, 
while  the  older  were  in  town  with  their  aunt,  learn- 
ing the  art  of  "shopping."     The  children  took  up 


37S  To  his  brother  Aiidreiv.  [A.  D.  1879. 


entire  several  varieties  of  flowers  for  their  "wild- 
flower  garden."  They  find  abundant  around  them 
to  enlist  their  daily  interest.  I  am  glad  and  grate- 
ful that  they  can  thus  grow  up  close  to  Nature. 
These  simple  joys  are  so  much  better  for  the  mind 
and  heart  than  the  giddy  excitements  of  man's 
devising. 

I  wish  you  were  nearer,  so  that  oftener  you 
could  participate  in  the  many  advantages  of  the 
dear  old  homestead.  You  plan  and  place  at  other's 
disposal  what  you  yourself  scarcely  enjoy  with 
them,  save  in  distant  ideal.  Will  it  ever  be  that 
you  will  take  to  a  quiet  life,  and  we  be  boys  together 
again.?  Two  rustics,  we  could  drive  about  among 
the  neighbors,  and  extend  our  trips  in  widening 
circles  till  we  should  familiarize  ourselves  with  the 
villages  nestling  around  us. 

I  recently  received  from  dear  Mr.  Knudsen  a 
new  revision  of  his  method  in  "spelling  reform." 
His  tenacity  of  purpose  is  remarkable,  and  one 
can  not  but  admire  the  real  skill  he  manifests  in 
conceiving  and  developing  his  enterprises.  In  the 
use  of  his  observatory,  where  he  has  mounted  your 
gift  telescope,  he  does  much  to  elevate  the  taste 
and  broaden  the  mind  of  many  in  his  community. 
Our  late  friend  Mr.  Rand  was  a  man  of  much  dis- 
cernment, and  he  expressed  the  highest  opinion  of 
Mr.  Knudsen's  intellectual  ability,  of  his  thorough 
balance  of  character.  I  increasingly  value  him  as 
one  who  wears  well  in  acquaintance,  and  I  feel 
deeply  indebted  for  the  influence  of  his  quiet, 
steady,  straightforward  life. 


Aqtat.  56.]  Letter  to  Dr.  Lane.  379 

The  sudden  accession  of  great  heat  is  trying  to 
most  of  us.  I  hope  you  remit  somewhat  of  your 
labors,  till  gradually  adjusted  to  the  change  in 
weather.  Let  us  remember  that  our  powers  are 
definitely  limited,  and  that  we  gain  only  loss  by 
over-taxing  them.  There  is  wisdom  generally  in 
"taking  it  easy,"  and  particularly  so  at  certain 
crises.  Some  one  has  said  that  "the  body  will 
bear  much  if  the  mind  be  at  ease,"  and  we  have 
the  "surer  word"  that  he  shall  be  "kept  in  perfect 
peace  whose  mind  is  staid  on  God." 

We  are  all  well,  and  all  unite  in  love  to  you,  to 
dear  Sister  Lucy,  and  to  the  dear  Nephew  and 
Niece.  Hoping  ere  long  to  sit  beside  you  and  to 
ramble  with  you,  I  am  ever  and  affectionately 

(        Your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


To  Dr.  Lane. 

Green   Hill,  August  22,  1879. 

My  Dear  Dr.  Lane: 

The  dear  friend  who  crowned  you  and 
entwined  the  darling  children,  has  now  proved 
her  well  wonted  pinions  in  soaring  and  speeding 
among  the  denizens  of  the  world  of  light,  where 
the  adoring  melodies  ever  roll  through  an  atmos- 
phere of  highest  love.  Those  she  has  left  bereaved 
are,  we   will  hope,  comforted  growingly  as  time 


380  '  To  Dr.  Lane.  [A.  D.  1879. 

lapses,  and  will  with  advancing  years  more  and 
more  experience  the  good  that  is  intended  in 
affliction.  In  God  "we  live  and  move  and  have  our 
being"  naturally.  This  condition  is  constant  and 
is  an  unconscious  experience.  So  must  we  grow, 
under  the  Lord's  discipline,  to  have  our  spiritual 
existence  in  Him,  as  well  as  our  natural  existence. 
We  are  screened  from  God  by  the  interposition  of 
a  materia]  body.  We  have  to  grow  to  the  endur- 
ance of  the  unveiled  presence  of  Him  who  is  to 
all  sin  "a  consuming  fire," 

How  little  can  we  bear  any  unusual  manifest- 
ation of  His  nearness.  When  the  Lord  Jesus 
showed  His  real  glory,  the  apostles  fell  into  a 
death-like  swoon.  The  prophet  Daniel  fell  before 
the  lesser  light  of  Gabriel.  The  Lord  is  leading 
us  into  glorious  perfection  by  a  way  we  know  not. 
The  next  step  in  our  progress  will  likely  be  as 
much  in  advance  of  our  present  state  as  is  our 
matured  manhood  beyond  our  foetal  life. 

In  the  very  nature  of  the  case,  we  must  be  ex- 
pectant. "  First  the  flesh  and  then  the  spirit." 
We  haste  towards  the  higher  "as  fast  as  time  can 
move."  The  closing  of  the  present  stage  seems 
to  sense  the  end  of  all,  but  faith  sees  in  it  a  great 
promotion.  Once  "  in  Christ,"  and  all  things  are 
ours,  and  we  go  on  from  strength  to  strength  to 
take  possession. 

I  hope  through  constant  watchfulness  and 
prayer  you  keep  very  near  the  Lord.  We  must 
ever  bask  in  his  rays.  We  soon  chill  if  we  wander 
into  shadows.  Faith  grows  dim  and  love  grows 
cold.     The  ^ist,  is  to  "endure  to  the  end"  and  to 


Aetat.  56.]  Lettef- to  Rev.   W.   W.  Rowland.  381 

"overcome."  More  is  He  that  is  for  us  than  all 
that  can  combine  against  us.  He  is  our  leader, 
and  He  goes  on  "conquering  and  to  conquer."    • 

To  THE  Rev.  W.  W.  Howland. 

Green  Hill,  Worcester,  Mass., 

Sept.  22,  1879. 

My  Dear  Brother  Howland: 

....  I  feel  very  thankful  to  you  for  your 
great  kindness  in  giving  me  so  much  of  your  so 
fully  engrossed  time,  strength  and  attention. 
Every  page  of  that  long  letter  was  keenly  appre- 
ciated,—^not  to  say  the  same  of  the  briefer  ones.  .  .  . 

Let  me  advise  that  our  future  Medical  Vernac- 
ular book  printing  be  done  at  Nagarkoil.  It  will 
be  the  lesser  of  two  evils  to  have  a  long  list 
of  Corrigenda  in  each  volume  than  to  have  our 
translator's  time  frittered  away  in  reading  and  re- 
reading and  re-re-reading  proof  for  a  local  press. 
I  think  this  will  expedite  the  completion  of  the 
long-talked-of  series  more  than  any  other  practi- 
cable measure.  .  .  . 

Let  me  suggest  that  the  notes  and  emendations 
on  the  Christian's  medical  Tracts  be  severally 
copied  and  attached  to  each  its  original  printed 
pamphlet,  so  as  to  have  two  sets,  one  in  your  own 
hands  and  another  in  the  hands  of  the  Secretary 
of  the  Jaffna  Religious  Tract  Society.  Thus 
make  certainty  doubly  sure.  ,  .  . 


382  To  Rev.    W.    W.  Howland.  [A..  D  1879, 


When  the  time  comes,  the  Anatomy,  Physiology 
and  Hygiene  school-book  should  be  thoroughly 
revised  and  reconstructed.  I  shall  be  glad  to  serve 
in  this  if  all  convenes.  I  think  much  could  be 
worked  in  from  Miss  Beecher's  Physiology  for 
Schools.  That  seems  eminently  pratical.  I  have 
not  seen  Mr.  Bruce's  book.  .  .  . 

We  hope  that  Mr.  Joseph  Anthony  Sanders  can 
graduate  in  Medicine  and  Surgery  in  April,  1881, 
and  soon  thereafter  be  with  you.  I  hope  that  the 
Lord  may  see  fit  to  keep  for  us  the  present  Medi- 
cal Government  Grant  of  Rupees  2000;  for  Joseph 
can  with  this,  and  the  other  Rs,  1 500  named  by  Dr. 
Kynsey,  get  along  comfortably,  I  think.  .  .  . 

I  think  Mr.  R.  C.  Hastings  carried  out  the  cuts 
for  Shephe'^d  of  Salisbury  Plain.  Please  get  of 
him.  I  am  glad  to  learn  that  The  Body  and  The 
Believing  Tradesman  have  been  approved.  I  wait 
with  interest  the  fate  of  the  good  old  Shepherd  of 
Salisbury  Plain.  Can  you  pick  up  any  stray 
copies  of  Hints  to  English  Beginners  in  Tamil? 
If  so,  please  send  me  some  dozen  or  more.  My 
stock  is  low  now,  I  had  twenty-five  or  so.  .  .  . 

I  hope,  with  the  help  of  greater  experience, 
vigorous  recruits,  and  the  forthcoming  new  English 
version,  that  what  will  be  best  to  the  ultimate 
Tamil  Bible  will  be  produced.  I  hope  the  true 
God  will  have  in  it  His  rightful  name,  and  not  share 
a  title  with  Siva  and  the  rest.  ... 

I  hope  and  pray  that  Dr.  Mills  ( and  Dr.  Paul 
and  Dr.  Clives)  may  be  so  practical  in  their  teach- 
ins:  as  to  encourasfe  the  continuance  of  the  Medical 
Government  Grant.     It  would  be  well  to  mvite 


Aetat.  57.]  Letter  to  Oliver  B.   Green.  383 

Dr.  Kynsey  (and  his  representative  in  loco)  to 
occasionally  examine  the  Class,  and  be  present 
also  at  regular  examinations.  .  .  .  We  are  all  in 
usual  health,  and  all  join  in  much  love  to  each  and 
all  of  the  quaternion  at  Uduvil. 

Ever  and  affectionately  yours, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

Green  Hill,  October  23,  1879. 

My  Dear  Brother  Oliver: 

I  think  of  you  and  yours  daily.  But  how 
little  does  man's  thinking  avail,  and  how  very 
much  does  the  gracious  Lord's  thinking  for  us 
avail.  Man's  thoughts  are  shadowy,  are  shallow 
and  evanescent.  The  Lord's  thoughts  are  sub- 
stance, are  profound  and  effective.  We  surely 
have  reason  to  bless  the  Lord  that  His  thoughts 
are  not  our  thoughts,  as  are  His  ways  not  our 
ways.  When  we  for  each  other  "think  the  Lord's 
thoughts  after  Him,"  then  we  are  oft-times  honored 
to  trace  in  edification  some  lineament  of  the  Lord's 
upon  a  fellow  soul ;  and  what  higher  employ  could 
stir  the  holy  ambition  of  an  angel.? 

I  have  repeatedly  thanked  you  for  the  sentiment 
of  the  lamp  and  the  window  in  the  human  being, 
as  you  cited  it  from  the  Evangelist  Pentecost. 
Such  a  truth  has  the  savor  of  God's  own  truth; 
it  has  also  the  flavor  of  the  individual  interest  of 
the  communicator,  allthespiceof  life-longacquaint- 


384  Rdatum  of  parent  and  child.  [A.  D.  1879. 


ance  and  affection.  Pray  occasionally  bestow 
similar  cheer  and  helps;  speaking  something  of 
the  Gospel  that  has  pressed  strong  upon  your 
own  heart  and  shall  come  thence,  warm  and 
earnest,  upon  one  looking  together  with  you  for 
food  to  the  good  Shepherd  of  our  souls. 

I  congratulate  you  on  the  safe  return  to  you  of 
your  very  interesting  son.  He  is  a  diamond 
committed  to  you  for  polish.  May  he  prove  a 
jewel  radiant  with  heaven's  own  luster.  How 
well  it  is  that  we  have  ever  near  One  who  will 
continually  supply  not  only  grace,  but  from  hour 
to  hour  the  particular  grace,  requisite  for  develop- 
ing the  crescent  character,  info  the  fulness  of 
perfection.  Were  we  less  this  help,  we  should 
utterly  and  miserably  fail  in  our  children.  Let 
us  hourly  cast  ourselves  upon  Jesus,  first  for  our 
own  souls,  next  for  our  children's.  He  will  never 
fail  us.  We  must  habitually  try  to  be  what  we 
wish  our  children  to  be.  The  Scriptures  intimate 
gentleness  to  be  greatness,  and  quietness  to  be 
strength.  Patience  ever  wins.  Order  is  the 
balance  wheel  and  punctuality  is  its  pivot. 

Our  Father  trains  us  by  withholding  from 
desires  as  well  as  by  conferring.  Firmness  should 
hold  calmly  the  ground  between  sternness  and 
fondness.  Fear  should  abide  as  an  undertone  in 
love.  God  is  preparing  each  of  his  children,  by 
giving  rule  over  a  few,  to  bear  rule  hereafter  over 
many.  The  relation  of  parent  and  child  is  a 
mutual  benefit  arrangement.  Where  it  is  sus- 
tained according  to  God's  word  both  parties  receive 
effective  help  toward  the  better  life. 


Aetat.  57.J  Training  of  children.  385 


There  is  much  In  environment.  Our  nearest 
is  our  body;  next  our  family,  and  so  on  in  several 
widening  circles.  The  will  is  the  core  of  being. 
It  is  not  left  naked,  but  girdled  so  as  to  brace 
and  bear  it  onward  with  more  of  certainty  to  the 
rieht.  We  must  to  our  utmost  environ  our  chil- 
dren  with  conditions  favorable  to  vn*tue.  Our 
will,  controlled  by  the  divine,  must,  with  the  least 
of  the  imperious,  dominate  theirs.  In  our  asso- 
ciate as  in  our  individual  life  the  way  of  obedience 
is  the  sole  way  to  blessing.  The  precepts  given 
in  the  Word  for  the  training  of  children  are  the 
only  safe  rules  to  follow  ourselves,  would  we  lead 
them  aright  and  with  them  arrive  at  the  Home 
of  the  Blessed.  In  this  we  have  no  option;  we 
neglect  or  we  contravene  at  our  peril.  Frequent 
and  prayerful  recourse  to  the  holy  Oracles  on  the 
one  hand,  patient  and  felicitous  utilization  of  the 
truth  on  the  other,  must  constitute  the  tissue  of 
our  family  life  from  day  to  day.  Jesus  must  be 
openly,  avowedly,  habitually  welcomed  and  domi- 
ciled as  the  One  we  would  chiefest  cherish.  His 
presence  should  be  constantly  recognized,  with 
equal  reverence  and  delight. 

In  many  things  we  all  offend;  but  piling  failures 
under  our  feet  we  must  still  aim  upwards,  ever 
eying  Him  who  leads  us  in  our  struggle  away 
from  self  and  sin.  Because  He  lives  we  shall  live 
also,  and  in  His  victories  we  shall  share. 

There  is  neither  help  nor  merit  in  disparaging 

ourselves.     Such  is  not  magnifying  the  Lord.     It 

is  well  to  feel  our  faultiness,  but  we  may  rejoice 

that  our  Lord  knows  us  far  better  than  we  know 

36 


386  CompeusatiiVis  in  trial.  [A.  D.  1879. 


ourselves,  and  where  there  is  more  felt  need  will 
there  give  more  grace. 

Let  us  therefore,  "forgetting  the  things  which 
are  behind  and  reaching  forth  unto  those  things 
which  are  before,  press  toward  the  mark  for  the 
prize  of  our  high  calling  in  Christ  Jesus." 

There  seems  no  end  to  the  trains  of  thought 
when  one  lets  such  themes  sweep  through  the 
mind.  Giving  ourselves  to  the  Spirit's  power  we 
shall  experience  His  living  breath,  throughout  our 
hearts  and  minds,  quickening  and  strengthening 
us  for  every  need.  To  Him  let  us  daily  commend 
each  the  other. 

With  unwaverinq;  affection. 
Your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

To . 

^    1879. 

You  prove,  we  fancy,  the  truth  of  the  say- 
ing that,  "  The  stars  are  brightest  in  dark  nights.'' 
How  many  compensations  our  Father  mingles 
in  with  every  trial  He  has  to  lay  upon  us.  We 
may  confidently  expect  to  understand  hereafter 
that,  "All  His  ways  are  mercy  and  truth,"  and 
that  He  "withholds  no  (really)  good  thing  from 
those  who  walk  uprightly." 

I  am  glad  you  have,  had  Christian  converse. 
.  .  .     As  we  progress  in  the  spiritual  life  we  see 


Aetat.  57.]  Life  in   Christ.  387 

more  and  more  the  value  of  what  is  spoken  of  as 
the  "communion  of  saints."  Although  we  may 
meditate  with  much  comfort  and  delight  on  the 
word  of  God,  yet  when  conversation  with  the 
living  pilgrim  is  added,  how  vastly  is  the  impres- 
sion strengthened  and  the  emotion  substantiated. 
I  thank  our  Lord  for  that  view  of  the'  "inner 
self"  which  He  has  given  you.  There  is  naught 
so  forcible  to  urge  us  to  the  great  Healer  as  the 
disclosure  of  "the  plague  of  our  own  heart."  Hav- 
ing conviction  of  the  desperation  in  our  case,  let 
us  continually  look  away  from  self  to  the  Saviour, 
ever  following  on  after  Him  as  our  Pattern,  our 
Leader,  our  Deliverer.  He  declares  Himself  to 
be  "the  first  and  the  last,"  "the  Author  and  Fin- 
isher of  our  Faith."  Our  salvation  is  to  grow  up 
into  Him  in  all  things.  While  the  old  nature, 
evil  till  the  last,  remains  stubborn  and  unchanged, 
the  newly  implanted  nature  is  the  stronger  and 
is  ever  gaining  upon  the  old.  The  whole  matter 
seems  to  be  in  the  will.  While  we  may  resolve 
and  determine  for  the  right,  we  must  heartily 
enthrone  the  Lord  Jesus  within.  All  our  resolu- 
tions amount  to  little  apart  from  His  abiding 
presence.  "  Without  me  ye  can  do  nothing"  is 
the  instructive  word  to  us.  "Our  life  is  hid  with 
Christ  in  God;"  in  Christ  within  us.  How  pow- 
erful, how  serene  the  new  life !  The  source  of  it  is 
within  us.  There,  in  the  chamber  of  our  will,  is 
the  hiding  of  our  power.  An  elected  theocracy. 
When  Christ  abides  He  looks  from  our  eye,  He 
sways  our  hand,  He  tunes  our  song  and  tones 
our   speech.     We  need  not  waver  for  He  bears 


388  Family  zvorship.  [A.  D.  1879. 

US  on  and  bears  us  through  whatever  He  plans 
for  us.  Our  life  will  be  "fruit  in  season ; "  patience, 
when  that  is  tried;  courage,  when  that  is  called 
for;  wisdom,  when  needed  for  ourselves  or  for 
counseling  others.  We  learn  by  habit  to  draw 
every  needed  grace  from  out  His  fulness,  according 
to  the  requirement  at  hand. 

It  is  delightful  to  contemplate  your  family 
worship.  •  Let  it  be  regular  and  punctual.  Let 
it  be  as  deliberate  as  practicable.  Let  it  be  as 
familiar  and  informal  as  can  consist  with  the 
injunction,  "Decently  and  in  order."  Encourage 
prattle  and  chat  about  the  portion  read.  Refer 
to  maps  and  dictionary.  Sing,  by  all  means,  and 
keep  all  sunny  and  attractive.  It  will  be  as  a 
blessing  of  the  Lord  settled  down  right  in  your 
midst.  Encourage  the  children  to  propose  peti- 
tions. Let  them  learn  many  of  the  texts  exhorting 
and  encouraging  to  prayer.  Let  them  in  time, 
occasionally  two  or  three  at  a  time,  lead  in  prayer. 
Teach  them  to  be  free,  explicit  and  brief  in 
supplication.  As  for  their  private  devotions, 
encourage  extempore  prayer ;  tell  them  to  embody 
praise  and  thanks,  confession  and  supplication, 
remembrance  of  relatives,  acquaintance,  neigh- 
bors, etc., in  intercession.  They  will  range  accord- 
ing to  their  years.  Baby  prayers  are,  no  doubt, 
as  acceptable  as  the  prayers  of  the  aged.  The 
Father's  ear  likes  the  prattle  of  the  child. 

Keep  the  hold  of  love  upon  the  darlings.  Let 
nothing  divide  for  an  hour,  much  less  alienate. 
When  discipline  is  required,  let  it  be  alone, 
tender,  firm,  and  with  prayer.     If  castigation  is 


Aetat.  57.]  Discipl'me,  389 

needed,  let  it  be  out  of  sight  and  sound;  let  it  be 
followed  by  audible  prayer  together,  and  this  by 
loving  embrace  and  kiss  and  a  return  in  sunshine 
to  the  rest  of  the  group.  Castigation  will  seldom 
be  called  for  if  tact  avoids  collision.  Obedience 
must  be  prornpt  and  cheerful.  Exact  this  quietly 
and  habitually.  One  will  must  rule,  and  that  one 
with  all  the  rest,  reverently  bowed  to  the  Divine 
will,  daily  and  openly  recognized  in  the  family 
worship. 

Let  us  hope  that  no  separation  may  be  neces- 
sary; but  only  occur  through  the  maturing  and 
dispersing  as  Providence  shall  call  to  usefulness 
and  independency.  "  What  God  has  joined  togeth- 
er let  not  man  put  asunder"  holds  here  too. — I 
have  written  on,  and  leave  you  to  winnow  and 
gather  any  grains  of  the  ''good  seed''  which  "the 
Spirit  of  truth"  may  bring  before  you,  even  in 
such,  a  vessel  as  this  note. 


To  Dr.  Kanakadattinam,    {Tamil) 
alias,  Levi  Samuel  Strong. 

Green  Hill,  Worcester,  Mass.,  U.  S.  A., 

April  3,  1880. 

My  Dear  Samuel: 

On  the  1 8th  of  March  last  I  received  your 
kind  note  with  the  picture  of  nine  of  my  old 
acquaintances.     We  are  happy  to  greet  even  the 


390  To  Dr.  Kanakadaftinavi.  [A.  D.  1880. 

shadows  of  you  all,  and  we  would  greatly  enjoy 
an  hour's  conversation  with  each  one  of  you. 
The  re-acquaintance  with  you  gains  every  time 
we  study  the  picture.  We  feel  thankful  that  you 
all  took  pains  to  assemble  before  the  Photographer. 
This  shows  fraternity  among  yourselves,  and  kindly 
regard  for  us. 

We  judge  that  you  are  all  prospering  in  your 
business  concerns,  for  which  we  are  thankful.. 
We  desire  above  all  things  that  your  souls  should 
be  in  health  and  prosper.  Show  your  faith  in 
our  blessed  Lord  Jesus  by  your  daily  endeavor, 
in  his  strength,  to  walk  in  purity,  honesty  and 
kindness.  He  sought  us  even  before  we  sought 
Him,  and  He  will  manifest  Himself  as  a  very 
present  help  in  trouble.  Inspired  by  His  example 
and  strengthened  by  His  Spirit,  live  the  noble, 
the  unselfish  life. 

Remember  us  kindly  to  your  and  our  common 
acquaintances  among  the  Medical  Graduates. 
We  hope  that  each  of  you  may  prove  not  only  a 
centre  of  Christian  influence,  but  that  you  may 
in  particular  fasten  and  further  in  the  community 
correct  ideas  of  life  and  health;  of  Hygiene  and 
Sanitation.  Each  of  you  can  and  should  leave 
your  several  circles  of  acquaintance  wiser  and 
better  in  these  matters;  and,  after  you  shall  have 
departed,  have  many  to  rejoice  that  you  have 
lived  to  bless  them  and  theirs. — With  special  and 
kindly  remembrance  to  yourself  and  wife,  to  your 
parents,  to  the  Asburys — all,  and  to  the  Cookes — 
all, 

I  am  yours  ever  and  truly, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


Aetat.  57.1  Letter  to  his  son.  391 

South   Norwalk,  Conn  , 

Thurs.,  2\June,  1880. 

My  Dear  Son  : 

I  think  of  you  daily,  and  I  feel  that  you  do 
of  Papa,  and  that  we  pray  for  each  other.  These 
ties  of  relationship  embody  much  of  joy,  and 
when  ennobled  by  love  toward  Jesus,  they  seem 
earnests  of  that  higher  life,  in  the  better  land  for 
which  we  look,  and  into  which  we  may  enter  any 
day.  I  hope  my  little  man  is  constantly  endea- 
voring to  live  the  self-denying  life,  which  is  ever 
considerate  of  others,  and  happiest  in  scattering 
smiles  of  gladness  over  surrounding  faces.  I  am 
thinking  of  the  pleasure  I  had  last  year,  with  your 
dear  sister  Mary  here,  and  similarly  anticipate  the 
coming  here  of  her  brother,  next  year,  if  his  par- 
ents then  should  think  it  best  for  him  to  journey 
and  visit  awhile. 

•  You  have  heard  of  the  severe  illness  of  your 
beloved  aunt  Julia,  and  I  doubt  not  are  rejoicing 
with  us,  that  the  Lord  of  life  and  death  yet  spares 
her  to  us  all,  and  seems  restoring  her  to  comfort. 
There  is  a  constant  tendency  to  die  within  us, 
and  we  only  continue,  because  He  "  holds  us  in 
life."  Strong  or  weak,  sick  or  well,  we  unceasing- 
ly near  the  termination  of  our  animal  life.  The 
believer  in  Jesus  sees  in  this  the  beginning  of  a 
far  better  life  ;  a  life  inexpressibly  glorious  and 
blissful.  Let  us  ever  commit  ourselves  to  Jesus, 
and  let  Him  keep  fast  hold  of  us,  for  none  can 
pluck  us  out  of  His  hand,  and  so  deprive  us  of  the 
glory  He  owns  and  shares  with  us. 


392  Lettei'  to  his  son.  [A.  D.  I88O. 

I  imagine  you  and  your  sister  Mary,  enjoying 
the  rockaway,  with  dear  Mamma,  very  much.  I 
hope  you  ha\'e  driven  around  the  head  of  the  lake 
'  together.  I  am  wondering  how  your  gardens 
flourish.  I  suppose  the  drought  is  as  severe  with 
you  as  at  "  Fridensbolig."  You  have  no  doubt 
looked  at  the  babies  nigh  you,  and  given  them 
each  the  smile  of  welcome  to  the  great  family  of 
man,  and  to  Green  Hill  in  particular.  I  hope 
they  and  many  others,  now  babes,  may  have  occa- 
sion to  say,  "  I  think  Mr.  Nathan  Green  is  a  very 
nice  man,  he  is  so  kind  to  every  one." 

You  must  be  interested  in  the  procedures  at 
the  dam.  Perhaps  you  picture  already  the  rip- 
pling pond,  the  rocking  boat,  and  the  dripping 
fish,  hopping  and  flopping  in  the  hold.  If  Uncle 
develops  all  this,  I  shall  hope  for  an  invitation  to 
accompany  you  on  a  row  and  a  haul.  How  glad 
we  would  be  to  spread  an  occasional  dish  of  Eng- 
lish carp  before  him  and  your  Aunts,  to  say  noth- 
ing of  your  Mamma,  quietly  relishing  the  treat, 
and  saying,  "  Why  Tambi,  how  sweet  these   are." 

When  I  begin  to  talk  with  you,  my  darling,  it 
seems  as  if  my  pen  would  not  stop  ;  but  I  must 
drop  it,  for  the  heat  forbids  me  to  further  ply  it, 
and  you  would  say,  "  Never  mind.  Papa,  we  will 
sit  down  and  talk  the  rest."  Very  well,  my  dear ; 
I  will  hope  ere  long  for  such  a  privileged  inter- 
view. 

Ever  and  affectionately, 

Your  father  and  friend, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


Aetat.  57.]  Illness  of  his  sister  Julia  393 

In  the  Spring  of  1880  his  children  had  the 
Whooping  Cough,  and  Dr.  Green  took  the  disease 
and  suffered  from  it  for  several  months.  This 
may  have  quickened  into  greater  activity  the 
malady  which  had  so  long  preyed  upon  him,  but 
which  had  not  generally  prevented  him  from  calling 
himself  well,  —  for,  in  his  view,  health  was  but  a 
relative  term  at  the  best.  While  thus  suffering 
he  went  with  his  sister  Julia  and  two  of  his  daugh- 
ters to  spend  a  few  weeks  with  their  friends  in 
New  York  City  and  South  Norwalk,  Ct.,  and 
while  at  the  latter  place  his  sister  was  seriously 
ill.  She  ventured  to  travel  home  in  a  comfortable 
compartment  of  a  railway  carriage,  and  "seemed 
at  times  near  death."  After  reaching  home  she 
seemed  to  be  improving  for  a  few  days,  and  then 
became  more  ill.  His  care  and  solicitude  for 
her — while  prostrated  and  suffering,  yet  patiently 
enduring,  and  confidently  looking  for  the  coming 
of  her  Saviour — greatly  affected  and  weakened 
him.  In  giving  the  absent  an  account  of  her,  he 
said:  "Our  beloved  sister  is  redeemed  and,  havine 
faith,  is,  through  the  present  great  suffering,  being 
sanctified.  Only  one  more  step  remains  for  her, 
and  that  is  to  be  glorified.  With  her  how  many  of 
us  believe  in  Jesus  and  are  'hasting  on  from  grace 
to  glory.'  Surely  we  are  a  remarkably  favored  fam- 
ily   to   have  so  many  members  partakers  of  the 


394  Death  of  his  sister.  [A.  D.  1880. 

heavenly  calling."  On  the  5th  of  August  "she 
passed  away  very  peacefully  in  full  assurance  of 
the  eternal  life." 

He  thus  recorded  her  departure  in  the  Book  of 
Green  Hill. 

"  Aug.  5,  Thursday.  At  half  past  ten,  in  the 
morning,  our  beloved  Sister  Julia  departed  this 
life,  in  the  faith  of  Jesus;  rejoicing  in  hope  of  the 
glory  of  God.  She  had  been  occasionally  ill  for 
months  past,  and  more  frequently  and  severely 
during  the  past  few  weeks.  On  Tuesday  nighty 
signs  of  approaching  death  supervened.  She  lin- 
gered in  '  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death  '  for 
over  thirty  hours  ;  of  this,  near  the  last,  one  hour 
was  passed  in  mortal  agony ;  when  she  afterwards 
fell  asleep  most  peacefully  as  to  the  body  and 
most  trustfully  in  Him,  who  'is  the  Resurrection 
and  the  Life.'  For  us  it  is  irreparable  loss  ;  for 
her  it  is  unspeakable  gain.  '  Blessed  are  the  dead 
who  die  in  the  Lord.'  " 

Though  he  deeply  felt  his  bereavement,  yet  he 
rejoiced  for  her.  He  had  no  need  that  others 
should  point  him  to  the  source  of  consolation,  for 
he  was  realizing  again  what  he  had  said  before  : 
"  When  one  of  our  candles  goes  out,  let  us  open 
the  eastward  shutter  a  little  wider ;  the  Sun  of 
Righteousness  is  ever  aglow,  and  we  have  but  to 
admit  His  rays." 


Aetat.  58/  Disinterested  benevolence.  395 

Dr.  Green's  benevolence  was  very  disinterested  ; 
he  was  as  ready  to  deny  himself  for  the  cause  of 
Christ  among  the  Tamils  as  he  was  to  ask  others 
to  do  the  same.  Notwithstanding  the  generosity 
of  his  brothers  and  sisters  in  offering  funds  to  de- 
fray' the  expenses  of  travel  in  Europe  on  each  re- 
turn from  Ceylon,  to  help  him  in  his  literary  enter- 
prise, to  support  him  and  his  family  so  largely  at 
home,  to  enable  him  to  visit  his  friends  here  and 
there  at  his  pleasure  and  to  spend  the  inclement 
season  in  a  warmer  climate,  he  rejoiced  in  their 
willingness  to  contribute  still  further  towards  the 
welfare  of  his  adopted  people,  if  they  were  moved 
by  a  higher  motive  than  for  his  own  sake.  On 
the  27th  of  August  he  wrote  to  his  brother  An- 
drew: "  I  thank  you  much  for  your  kind  note  as 
to  Jaffna  College.  .  .  .  The  '  Green  Scholarship' 
fund  of  a  thousand  rupees  is  very  nearly  made  up 
and  should  be  w^holly  filled  by  Tamils  themselves. 
As  for  a  'Green  Professorship'  of  Natural  Sci- 
ence in  the  Vernacular,  I  do  not  feel  specially 
called  to  found  it.  I  would  wish  the  name  attach- 
ed to  it  solely,  if  at  all.  as  expressive  of  sympathy 
with  the  cause  of  Christ  among  the  Tamils." 


CHAPTER    XXII. 


i88o-j88^:  jet.  58-61, 


'T^HE  translation  and  revision  of  the  Pharma,- 
copceia  of  India  was  now  drawing  to  a  close. 
The  last  instalment  of  manuscript  was  soon  re- 
ceived and  returned  ready  for  the  press.  The 
next  work  contemplated  had  been  one  on  Medical 
Jurisprudence,  and  Dr.  Green  would  have  rejoic- 
ed to  enter  at  once  upon  its  preparation.  For 
some  reason  it  was  not  then  undertaken.  So  far 
as  the  series  of  text-books  was  concerned,  his 
work  of  translation  and  revision  was  now  done. 
Henceforth  there  was  nothing  to  urge  him  be- 
yond his  strength  except  his  love  of  work.  He 
could  ofive  himself  to  such  varied  usefulness  as 
Providence  might  offer  him,  and  to  that  rest  a.nd 
recreation  which  might  be  needful  and  agreeable. 
Yet  he  could  not  but  watch  with  solicitude  the 
slow  progress  of  the  Pharmacopoeia  through  the 
press,  the  work  and  welfare  of  the  mission  and  of 
his  Tamil  friends.  He  kept  up  his  correspond- 
ence with  near  and  distant  friends,  imparting 
counsel  and  consolation,   admonition  and  encour- 


Aetat.  58.]  Concei'iiing  caste.  397 


agement,    as.  he  thought   the    one    or  the  other 
might  be  needed. 

In  view  of  some  surprising  statements  as  to  the 
prevalence  of  caste  in  the  Ceylon  Mission,  the 
Secretary  of  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M.  addressed  Dr. 
Green  as  to  the  truth  of  them,  and  received  this 
reply. 


Green  Wiia.,  November  6,  1880. 
My  Dear  Dr.  Clark: 

Your  letter  of  the  4th  inst.  names  four 
points  :  i.  Caste  perhaps  is  just  about  as  preva- 
lent in  the  Jaffna  churches  as  it  is  among  profess- 
ing Christians  in  America  and  England  ;  I  think 
it  is  not  more  so.  2.  The  Seminaries,  Boarding 
Schools,  and  College  are  freely  open  alike  to  eve- 
ry Caste.  3.  At  public  worship  the  natives  all 
sit  on  one  level.  There  is  some  segregation,  as 
here  we  notice  ;  the  wealthy  occupying  the  better 
pews.  You  will  recall  the  struggle  at  Tillipally 
as  to  arranging  for  settees  in  the  church, — happi- 
ly settled  with  equal  privilege  for  all.  4.  The 
missionaries,  in  common  with  the  children  of  God 
here,  would  regret  the  show  of  pride  and  exclu- 
siveness  in  any  guise. 

The  general  intermingling  of  Castes,  and  the 
free  interchange  of  intimate  socialities,  will  only 
occur  in  the  course  of  generations.  The  progress 
is  slow  but  steady,  and  ultimate  unity  is  certain. 

37 


398  Eduiation  of  his  children.  [A.  D.  1880. 


With  very  kind  regards  from  us  all  for  yourself 
and  your  family,  I  am, 

My  dear  Dr.  Clark, 

Yours  fraternally, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


Dr.  Green  took  great  interest  and  unwearied 
pains  in  the  education  of  his  children — three 
daughters  and  a  son.  Instruction  was  begun  as 
early  as  they  were  capable  of  receiving  it,  and 
steadily  adapted  to  their  growing  capacity.  It 
was  not  confined  to  books,  but  extended  to  every- 
thing usef\.il  and  interesting  to  know,  as  opportuni- 
ty  arose  or  suggested.  The  little  world  around 
them  was  made  one  of  their  text-books.  The 
flowers  which  delighted  by  their  colors  and 
fragrance  were  explained, — their  names,  growth, 
structure,  uses,seasons,history,  significance,  repro- 
duction, divine  origin,  and  claim  on  man  for 
gratitude  to  their  Author.  In  like  manner  they 
were  instructed  about  the  insect,  the  bird,  the  crawl- 
ing and  creeping  things,  the  quadrupeds  and.man. 
Thus  while  in  daily  contact  with  nature  they 
were  growing  in  the  know^ledge  of  natural  history 
in  that  way  which  was  the  most  interesting.  By 
witnessing   dissections  of  plants,  insects,    fishes, 


Aetat.  58.]  Education  of  his  children.  399 


birds  and  animals,  they  received  explanations  in 
anatomy  and  physiology  in  a  way  to  apprehend 
and  remember  them.  The  microscope  was  used 
to  reveal  to  them  its  field  of  beauty  and  wonders  ; 
as  they  looked  through  it  upon  a  frog's  foot,  they 
learned  more  of  the  circulation  of  the  blood  than 
the  wisest  Tamil  physicians,  uninstructed  in  medi- 
cal science,  ever  knew.  They  witnessed  with  great 
interest,  as  sometimes  did  older  spectators,  dissec- 
tions, as  of  t'he  eye  of  an  ox,  learning  the  super- 
human mechanism  of  the  wonderful  organ,  and 
lessons  of  the  wisdom,  power  and  goodness  of  the 
Creator. 

As  the  most  favorable  hours  for  study  were 
devoted  to  his  labors  for  the  Tamils,  Dr.  Green 
spent  a  little  while  in  the  morning  and  again  in 
the  evening  in  hearing  his  children  read,  and  in 
questioning  and  explaining  the  language  and  sen- 
timents. In  the  afternoon  he  crave  them  a  lesson 
in  the  Bible,  and  in  drawing  and  writing,  general- 
ly from  2  to  4  o'clock.  Mrs.  Green  taught  them 
in  the  forenoon,  while  he  was  at  his  literary  work. 
Whether  with  his  children  in  the  house  or  in 
walking  or  driving,  his  instruction  was  constant, 
embracing  every  subject  that  came  to  sight  or 
mind.  It  was  doubtless  partly  because  of  this 
favorite  method  that  he  regarded  the  freedom  and 
seclusion  of  the  homestead  as  inestimable  bless- 
ings to  them. 


400  Education  of  his  children.  [A.  D.  1880. 

He  taught  his  children  the  things  to  be  regard- 
ed in  letter  writing ;  the  general  style,  the  natural 
order,  the  gradation  of  terms  according  to  acquaint- 
ance, the  requisites  of  various  occasions.  Occa- 
sionally he  took  them  to  manufactories,  to  show 
the  working  of  machinery,  and  the  processes  of 
producing  various  things ;  for  example,  the  grind- 
ing of  grain,  the  making  of  brushes,  the  weaving 
of  carpets,  the  reduction  of  bars  of  iron  to  wire, 
the  turning  of  tortoise  shell  into  jewelry,  the 
converting  of  leather  into  boots  and  shoes. 

For  eight  years  after  their  return  to  America 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Green  taught  their  children  at 
home.  But  when  his  sisters  proposed  to  provide 
them  a  private  teacher,  he  declined,  saying:  "  I 
have  strong  doubt  as  to  the  expediency  of  teach- 
ing them  by  themselves.  This  method  may  be- 
get such  peculiarities  as  shall  impair  their  use- 
fulness, not  to  say  their  happiness  in  life.  I  que- 
ry whether  it  will  not  be  better  to  put  them  by 
and  by  into  the  public  schools,  and  let  them  meet 
the  world  earlier,  and  while  under  counsel  and 
control  at  home.  Say,  the  eldest  two  this  fall  in 
the  preparatory  class  of  the  High  School,  and  the 
younger,  if  spared,  into  the  same  when  they  may 
be  ready  for  it ;  meanwhile  teaching  them  at 
home." 

The  sense  of  parental  responsibility  was  very 
strong  and  constant,  and  he  was  ever  glad  to  cor- 


Aetat.  58.]  Helps  in  home-h'aining.  '  401 

rect  or  confirm  his  own  views.  "  While  I  would 
for  myself,"  said  he  to  a  friend,  "  have  the  Bible 
for  my  first  and  last  handbook  in  home-training, 
I  think  well  also  of  Gentle  Measures,  by  Jacob 
Abbott  ;  also  of  O^ir  N2trseries  and  Schoolrooms, 
by  Miss  Hooper ;  as  I  believe  they  embody  in  a 
suggestive  and  helpful  way  much  Scriptural  wis- 
dom." In  family  training,  "  unbending  firmness, 
unwearied  love  "  was  his  motto. 

Dr.  Green  preferred  health  to  learning  for  his 
children.  He  wrote  to  a  brother  :  "  If  super- 
added to  regeneration  and  its  fruits,  how  would 
the  following  gradation  of  acquirements  do  for  a 
character  }  namely,  pleasing  manners,  correct 
language,  a  good  handwriting.  And  no  more  of 
these  than  can  consist  with  sound  health.  A 
moderately  educated  worker  is  better  than  a 
learned  invalid.  If  you  let  your  son  go  to  public 
school,  don't  stimulate  him  overmuch  to  keep  up 
to  grade." 

To  THE  Rev.  W.  W.  Howland. 

Green  Hill,  Worcester,  Mass., 

April  A,,  1 88 1. 

My  Dear  Brother  Howland: 

On  the  1 6th  ultimo  I  sent  you  the  Tract 
entitled  The  Body,  with  notes  and  emendations. 
Permit    me    now    to    send    you     The    Believing 


402  Letter  to  Rm  W.  W.Howland.  [A.  D.  188I- 

Tradesman  s  notes  and  corrections.  May  I  ask 
you  to  have  them  appended  to  a  copy  of  that 
Tract,  ready  for  another  edition 

If  you  do  not  succeed  to  get  any  copies  of  Hints 
to  English  Beginners  in  Tamil,  please  to  let  me 
know,  that  I  may  issue  another  edition.  With 
this  information,  a  copy  with  your  opinion  and 
your  suggestions  towards  more  utility  would  be 
very  welcome 

I  am  surprised  that  the  note,  showing  the  un- 
scripturalness  of  going  in  debt,  should  have  been 
omitted.  I  feel  strenuous  that  it  should  appear 
in  the  next  edition.   .... 

We  are  all  well  and  all  send  love.  I  wrote 
Dr.  Chapman  a  note  of  condolence  on  the  igtli 
ultimo. 

Gratefully, 

S.  F.  Green. 

In  June  and  July,  Dr.  Green  and  his  family 
spent  four  weeks  with  their  friends  in  Ledyard, 
Ct.  He  gratefully  acknowledged  his  brother's 
invitation  to  visit  New  York  also,  and  reminded 
him  of  "the  dream  of  1837 — of  a  room  to  our- 
selves with  a  fire  in  the  grate — realized  !" 

Green  Hill,  October  10,  i88i„ 

My  Dear  Brother  Andrew: 

I  need  not  say  that  you  are  much  on  our 
hearts  at  this  crisis,  when  "  friends  "  may  endea- 
vor to  persuade  you  to  public  office.     If   beckon- 


Aetat.  68.]  Wide  Correspondence.  403 


ed  to  any  new  burdens  of  trust,  I  hope  the  indica- 
tions may  be  clear  as  to  the  Divine  will.  If  led 
into  relations  by  the  Lord,  we  can  count  on  His 
strength  to  meet  the  responsibilities.  Position, 
profit,  and  power  are  gifts  of  Providence,  and, 
while  appreciated,  should  be  less  esteemed  than 
gifts  of  Grace  ;  for  at  best  how  transitory  and 
tainted  they  are.  Let  us  care  first  and  always  to 
please  our  enduring  Friend,  and  let  others  come 
in  afterwards  in  our  regards 

I  am,  with  much  of  favor  to  muse  upon,  just 
gliding  into  the  sixties.  How  very  near  the  glad 
Haven  must  be!  .  .  .  Shall  we  repine  because  we 
are  made  so  great !  because  nothing  finite  can 
content  us ! 

....  Within  and  without  it  seems,  as  a  recent 
guest  here  said,  like  Paradise.  "  What  shall  we 
render  to  the  Lord  for  all  His  benefits  .?" 

With  much  love  from  every  one  of  us, 

Ever  and  affectionately, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

The  relation  of  Dr.  Green  to  the  members  of 
his  own  and  of  other  missions,  to  Tamil  and  San- 
scrit scholars,  to  authors  and  publishers  of  scien- 
tific and  medical  works,  to  his  graduates  engaged 
in  his  enterprise  for  a  Tamil  medical  literature,  to 
physicians  in  America  and  Europe,  to  printers, 
and  to  the  American  Board,  occasioned  a  multi- 
tude  of   letters    written  with   care  and    often  of 


404  Letter  to  Rev.  W.   W.  Howland.         [A.  D.  1881. 

great  length  because  of  many  details.  The  notes 
of  revision  on  the  many  parcels  of  Tamil  manu- 
script alone  required  a  great  many  letters,  not  on- 
ly to  the  translator,  but  to  those  members  of  the 
Mission  who  superintended  the  Medical  Depart- 
ment in  a  general  and  non-professional  way.  In 
the  fifteenth  letter,  from  October  i8th  to  April 
20th,  to  Mr.  Howland  alone,  he  remarked  of  the 
list,  "  You  can  say  he  here  confesses  to  prolonged 
taxing  of  my  time  and  patience."  The  time  be- 
tween mailing  a  letter  and  receiving  a  reply  made 
it  needful  to  mention  letters  written  meantime,  in 
order  to  know  whether  any  had  been  lost. 

To  THE  Rev.  W.  W.  Howland. 

Green   Hill,  December  7,  1881. 
My  Dear  Brother  Howland: 

We  received  tidings  direct  from  you  on 
the  iith  April  up  to  23d  February,  1881  ;  and  on 
the  1 6th  July  up  to  the  28th  of  May;  and  on  24th 
September  up  to  loth  August,  by  your  wife;  and 
on  24th  September,  from  D.  W.  Chapman,  to  loth 
"  July"  (probably  loth  August). 

I  wrote  you  i6th  July  about  yonr  watch,  etc.; 
also  7th  September,  1881.  I  wrote  Chapman  on 
the  29th  September,  in  reply  to  his,  giving  us  a 
sketch  of  the  last  days  and  hours  of  his  lamented 
wife. 


Aetat.  59.]  The  Pharmacopceia  of  India.  405 

To-day  is  just  a  year  since  my  last  receipt  of 
manuscript  from  Dr.  Chapman.  Working  through 
Dr.  Chapman,  so  as  to  spare  your  eyes  and  head, 
could  you  inform  me  whether,  or  no,  all  the  par- 
cels of  PharmacopcEia  of  India  manuscript  notes 
(from  No.  i  to  No.  44  being  on  the  English  book 
up  to  page  430)  sent  by  me  have  been  received. 
To  know  this  would  lessen  by  so  much  my  uncer- 
tainty as  to  the  Enterprise.  I  feel  a  very  great 
desire  to  have  the  PharmacopcFia  of  India,  now  it  is 
translated  and  revised,  printed  carefully  in  an  edi- 
tion of  two  hundred  and  fifty  copies,  and  distribut- 
ed to  all  A.  C.  M.  Medical  Graduates,  and  to  all 
the  Libraries  of  the  Government,  and  of  Missions 
in  Tamildom,  as  per  list  left  by  me 

If  the  Manepy  press  is  so  dilatory  as  to 
cause  so  much  delay  to  Dr.  Chapman's  work,  I 
should  consider  this  decisive  for  doing  our  (Medi- 
cal) printing  at  Nagarkoil. 

We  have  the  A.  C.  M.'s  Medical  Department 
much  on  our  heart  in  these  days.  We  ask  that 
the  Great  Medical  Missionary  shall  influence  the 
Brethren  to  do  concerning  it  what  is  of  Faith — 
what  is  judicious.  We  wait  the  results  of  your 
annual  meeting  for  business  with  much  interest, 
especially  on  this  matter. 

Even  should  the  Mission  decide  to  take  no 
more  Classes,  I  should  wish  the  Pharmacopoeia 
completed  and  distributed. 

On  the  principle  that  a  crumb  is  better  than  no 
bread,  I  hope  a  carefully  selected  Class,  though  in 
small  number,  might  be  kept  along;  certainly  so 
lone  as  the  Government  Grant  can  be  retained. 


4o6  Conscience.  [A.  D.  1882. 

.  .  .  The  condition  of  each  one  of  the  favored 
band  concerns  us.  .  .  .  We  are  all  well  and  pros- 
pering.    The  Lord  deals  very  graciously  with  us. 

Love  for  all  the  five  at  Oodooville  from 

all  at  Green  Hill. 

Ever  and  affectionately, 

•  S,  F.  Green. 

Green   Hill,  March   i8,  1882. 

Mv  Dear  Brother  Andrew: 

I  have  thought  that  less  is  printed  than  is 
written,  less  is  written  than  is  spoken,  less  is  spok- 
en than  is  thought.  Then  what  a  tide  of  thought 
there  must  be  in  the  average  human  being 
throughout  all  his  waking  hours.  This  thought 
is  of  all  kinds  and  qualities,  and  the  variety  incon- 
ceivable. It  is  no  doubt  well  that  much  of  it  dies 
unuttered.  It  is  all  aloud  to  the  conscience. 
How  significant  this  word  con -science.  God 
knows  and  self  knows  and  they  (con)  together  know 
every  thought.  To  the  Divine  eye  we  are  each 
just  rolled  inside  out.  Who  could  stand  the  gaze 
of  men  upon  his  interior,?  Aye,  what  man  but 
would  stand  aghast  at  the  clear  exposure  of  his 
neighbor's  every  emotion  }  Young  says,  "  God 
spares  all  beings  but  Himself  that  awful  sight — a 
naked  human  heart." 

Ever  and  affectionately  your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green, 


Aetat.  59.1  Letter  to  Jus  brother  Andrew.  407 

For  a  time  during  the  spring  Dr.  Green  suffer- 
ed somewhat  from  an  affection  of  the  throat.  On 
the  4th  of  June  he  wrote  his  brother  briefly  :  "  I 
have  resumed  voice.  What  a  faculty  it  is!  Da- 
vid calls  it,  I  think,  '  my  glory.'  I  have  no  vivaci- 
ty to-day."  He  was  not  restored  to  former 
strength,  however,  and  was  sensible  of  debility,  if 
not  of  a  slight  physical  deterioration  during  the 
summer.  A  hint  of  this  is  contained  in  the  fol- 
lowing letter. 


Green   Hill,  August  18,   1882. 
My  Dear  Brother  Andrew: 

We  are  happy  in  being  enabled  to  report 
to  you  our  prospered  arrival  at  the  dear  Home- 
stead, after  our  six  weeks  of  varied  and  favored 
experiences.  All  this  while,  though  moving 
among  slumbering  perils,  our  only  cognizance  of 
tempests  and  disasters  has  been  the  perusal  of 
what  has  befallen  our  fellows.  You  will,  we  pre- 
sume, join  with  us  in  thanksgiving  to  Him  whose 
presence  has  proved  our  constant  shield. 

The  spacious  and  elegant  look  within,  and  the 
broad  and  beauteous  look  from  various  sides 
around,  have  the  zest  freshened  to  us  by  absence. 
.  .  .  .  .  We  look  that  our  physical  gain  appear 
now  soon  after  our  return. 


4o8  Summer  recreation.  [A.  D.  1882. 

I  find  here  a  pair  of  Dr.  Williams'*  portraits 
addressed  to  me.  I  am  very  glad  to  possess  them. 
I  admire  him,  but  we  must  adopt  no  standard  but 
the  blessed  perfect  One  Himself.  It  is  no  small 
advantage,  surely,  to  have  a  faultless  Model  to 
work  to. 

We  hope  you  are  quite  well  again  and  enjoy- 
ing much  in  various  ways  ;  not  least  in  "  a  heart 
at  leisure  from  itself  to  soothe  and  sympathize/' 

Ever  and  most  affectionately 

Your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green, 


A  few  days  later  he  wrote  his  brother  :  "  We 
propose,  if  all  favors,  to  remain  here  next  sum- 
mer and  have  our  change  .  in  visiting  Wachusett 
Mountain,  Purgatory  Chasm,  and  Long  Pond ; 
this,  with  home  picnics,  will  suf^ce  very  well  for 
one  season." 

On  the  anniversary  of  the  Family  Re-union  he 
said,  "  We  look  about  on  much  remaining  of  out- 
ward good  ;  on  some  vacancies  in  our  ranks,  their 
promotion  to  the  higher  service,  and  realize  we 
are  far  nearer  the  better  Home." 


*Dr.  Wm.  R.  Williams,  an  eminent  Baptist  clergyman  of 
New  York. 


Aetat.  60.1  Letters  to  his  brothers.  409 


Green  Hill,  Worcester,  Mass., 
September  11,    1883. 
My  Dear  Brother  Oliver: 

We  are  all  well,  and  are  all  reaching  out  after 
you  since  you  encouraged  us  to  hope  for  your  ap- 
pearing. Hearts  yearn  for  you,  comforts  await 
you  and  may  the  Lord  of  all  motives  prosper 
your  way  to  us. 

Marvellous  are  His  dealings.  While  He  orders 
all,  how  differing  the  lot  and  way  of  each  individ- 
ual. Through  all  He  ever  beckons  us  nearer, 
ever  seeking  to  re-establish  the  union  of  will  in 
the  creature  with  the  Creator.  Let  us  inmost  say, 
"  Draw  us,  and  we  will  run  after  Thee." 

Love  for  and  from  each  and  all. 

Ever  and  affectionately, 

S.  F.  Green. 

Green  Hill,  September  13,  1883.  . 
My  Dear  Brother  Andrew: 

.  .  .  Ten  years  ago  to-day,  the  dear  sisters 
and  you  accorded  me  and  mine  such  a  welcome 
to  the  dear  old  Homestead  as  can  never  fade. 
The  recollection  of  it  is  as  a  memorial  of  praise 
and  thanks  to  the  bounteous  Author  of  so  pro- 
longed and  so  abounding  favor  from  the  most 
loving  relatives. 

38 


4IO  Go7-ernnient  aid  withdrawn.  [A.  D.  1883. 

How  few  decades  fill  out  the  longest  earthly 
career.  Should  all  or  most  be  spared  for  another, 
the  carried  will  likely  become  the  carriers.  May 
they  emulate  and  reciprocate  the  unvarying  kind- 
ness and  consideration  shown  them,  and  be  pros- 
pered to  meet  in  faithful  gratitude  the  claims  of 
growing  infirmity 

Affectionately,  gratefully,  and  ever, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


Under  Dr.  Green's  administration  of  the  Medi- 
cal Department  of  the  Mission,  the  Government 
of  Ceylon  gave  for  many  years  fifty  pounds  annu- 
ally towards  its  support  ;  then  for  a  few  years  one 
hundred  pounds,  and  afterwards  for  about  ten 
years  two  hundred  pounds  annually.  When  the 
A.  B.  C.  F.  M.  felt  unable  and  unwilling  to  con- 
tinue their  support  of  the  enterprize,  it  was 
thought  needful  that  the  grant-in-aid  by  the  Gov- 
ernment should  be  doubled  in  order  to  carry  it 
on.  But  the  Government  did  not  feel  willing  to 
increase  their  annual  appropriation  unless  assured 
of  a  thoroughly  competent  physician  at  the  head 
of  the  Department.  Finding  no  such  provision 
was  to  be  made,  the  Government  decided  to  re- 
duce their  appropriation  for  1883  to  one  hundred 
pounds,  and  thereafter  to  make  none  at  all.     Such 


Aetat.  61.J  The  work  accoviplished.  411 


long-continued  liberality  shows  the  estimate,  by 
the  Government,  of  the  value  of  Dr.  Green  and 
his  services  to  the  public. 

The  long  list  of  Dr.  Green's  publications  in 
Tamil  is  a  remarkable  demonstration  of  what 
may  be  accomplished  by  patient,  persevering,  sys- 
tematic labor  for  Christ's  sake,  in  circumstances 
very  discouraging,  and  in  spite  of  obstacles  very 
formidable.  In  translating  a  work  into  a  foreign 
language,  which  has  an  abundance  of  terms  for 
the  expression  of  every  thought,  the  work  is  al- 
ways difficult ;  but  how  much  more  difficult  when 
many  thoughts  require  the  coining  of  new  terms  in 
that  language;  and  how  much  more  difficult  still 
when  the  coining  of  terms  has  to  be  done  by  one 
to  whom  that  language  is  not  vernacular.  This 
was  the  task  which  Dr.  Green  undertook  and  ac- 
complished. His  Tamil  assistants  were  obliged 
to  use  scientific  terms  which  he  gave  to  their  lan- 
guage, and  of  which  they  had  first  learned  the 
meaning,  in  many  instances,  from  his  explana- 
tions of  objects  and  relations,  and  from  his  de- 
monstrations of  effects,  before  their  eyes.  Their 
translations  were  apt  to  be  grammatical  but  too 
literal,  and  too  full  of  technical  terms  or  of  inade- 
quate circumlocutions  ;  but  they  were  very  valua- 
ble to  him,  as  showing  how  Tamils  apprehended 
the  meaning  of  Western  science   as   expressed  in. 


412  List  of  D?-.  Green's  7C'0i-ks.  LA.  D.  1883. 

Tamil  words  of  his  own  making.  It  was  inevita- 
ble that  his  revision  of  their  versions  should  re- 
quire a  vast  amount  of  labor  to  put  them  in  prop- 
er shape  for  publication.  Though  the  revision 
sometimes  became  almost  wholly  a  re-translation, 
3^et  he  most  generously,  on  the  title  pages,  ascribed 
the  works  to  their  respective  Tamil  translators,  tak- 
ing to  himself  only  the  revision  and  emendations. 
They,  however,  as  generously  speak  of  the  printed 
text-books  as  his  translations.  It  should  be  re- 
membered, too,  that  instead  of  merely  translating 
these  American  and  English  books,  he  made 
omissions,  additions,  and  alterations,  according  as 
his  own  experience  and  knowledge  suggested. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  his  works,  original  or 
translated,  published  in  Tamil. 

I.     Text  Books. 

1.  Cutter's  Anatomy,  Physiology  and  Hy- 

giene.  Second  edition.  204  pages,  i2mo.  1857 

2.  Maunsell's  Obstetrics.     258  pages,  i2mo.  1857 

3.  Druitt's  Surgery.     504  pages,  8vo.  1867 

4.  day's  Anatomy.     838  pages,  8vo.  1872 

5.  Hooper's  Physician's  Vade  Mecum. 

917  pages,  8vo.  .       1872 

6.  Wells'  Chemistry,     516  pages,  8vo.  1875 

7.  Dalton's  Physiology.    590  pages,  8 vo.         1883 


>^' 


1 


1 


^?Y*-*\?  H<^  A^  Islii  , "--  4p. 


tf^ 


■^/-l 


.57T£^- 


tsttS^^/^^SSs 


V 


\ 


'•.  c^. 


SPECIMEN     SHOWING     THE      LABOR     AND     METHOD     OF     CORRECTING     MANUSCRIPT     OF 
DR,     GREEN'S     VOLUMES     AS     THEY     WERE     PASSING     THROUGH     THE     PRESS, 


Aetat.  61.]  List  of  Dr.  Green's  works.  413 

8.  Waring's  Pharmacopoeia  of  India. 

574  pages,  8vo.  1884 

IL     Vocabularies. 

1.  Physiological  Vocabulary.     134  pages,       1872 

2.  Vocabulary  of  Materia  Medica,  Diseases 

of  Women  and  Children,  and  Medical 
Jurisprudence.      161  pages,  1875 

III.  Popular  Treatises. 

1.  Secret  Vice.     24  pages,  32mo. 

2.  The  Soul's  Abode.     44  pages,   i8mo. 

3.  The  Mother  and  Child.     44  pages,   i8mo. 

IV.  Religious  Tracts. 

1.  Lot's  Choice.     22  pages,  i8mo. 

2.  Lucy  and  her  Chickens,     12  pages,  i8mo. 

3.  The   Shepherd  of  Salisbury  Plain.     56 

pages,  i8mo. 

4.  The  Believing  Tradesman.     28  pages,  i8mo. 

V.  Original  Treatises. 

1.  The  Eye.     11  pages,  i8mo. 

2.  The  Ear.     11  pages,  i8mo. 

3.  The  Hand.     11  pages,  i8mo. 

4.  The  Foot.     12  pages,  i8mo. 

5.  The  Skin.     16  pages,  i8mo. 


414  Additional  wiitings.  [A.  D.  1883. 

6.  The  Mouth.     12  pages,  iSmo. 

7.  The  Body.     15  pages,  i8mo. 

8.  Be  Clean.     4  pages,  iSmo. 

9.  Hints  for'  Cholera  Times.     20  pages. 

10.  Government  Tract  on  Cholera.     11  pages, 

i2mo. 

11.  The  Way  of  Health.     4  pages,  i2mo. 

According  to  his  own  estimate,  the  whole  list 
of  his  works  printed  in  Tamil  amounted  to  very 
nearly  4500  pages  octavo.  In  the  earlier  part  of 
his  missionary  life,  Dr.  Green  contributed  to  a 
New  York  Medical  Journal  an  article  on  Tamil 
Obstetrics,  and  one  on  Tamil  Surgery.  After  his 
final  return  he  prepared  a  Tract,  of  3  pages  Svo 
on  Hints  for  English  Beginners  in  Tamil. 

The  small  Anatomy,  Physiology  and  Hygiene 
has  been  adopted  in  the  Schools  of  Ceylon  and 
Southern  India.  Dr.  Vaittilingam  says  the 
Obstetrics,  which  "is  learned  by  several  of  our 
educated  women,  is  all  used  up;"  and  that  "of 
the  large  Aiiato77ty,  Surgery  and  Physics  [Vade 
Mecum]  there  are  so  few  copies  left  it  is  neces- 
sary to  revise  and  edit  them  all." 

It  is  much  to  be  grateful  for,  that  very  many 
persons  heard  the  gospel  from  Dr.  Green  once, 
even  though  they  may  never  have  heard   it  again 


Aetat.  61.]  An  unexpected  discovery.  41:; 

from  any  one»  A  reminiscence,  furnished  by  Mrs. 
Green,  shows  the  value  of  even  the  most  seemingly 
hopeless  opportunity  to  point  a  lost  sinner  to 
Christ,  "  One  day  while  staying  at  the  seaside 
for  the  benefit  of  one  of  his  children  who  had 
typhoid  fever.  Dr.  Green  went  out  in  the  early 
morning,  as  was  his  habit,  on  horseback  ;  the  tide 
being  low,  he  rode  on  the  beach  for  nearly  two 
miles,  when  he  came  to  a  native's  house,  where  he 
saw  a  woman  pounding  rice  in  the  yard.  He 
spoke  to  her,  and  found  she  was  blind.  She  said: 
'  I  know  who  you  are.  You  are  the  missionary 
Doctor.  Fifteen  years  ago  I  had  a  fever,  and  was 
carried  to  your  Dispensary  at  Batticotta.  You 
told  me  about  Jesus  Christ.  I  have  prayed  to 
Him  ever  since,  and  have  not  worshiped  idols.' 
The  patient  had  been  forgotten,  but  the  good  seed 
sown  had  taken  root." 

How  grateful  to  the  ear  of  the  poor  blind  wo- 
man must  have  been  the  gentle  voice  which  had 
conveyed  to  her  the  glad  tidings  that  were  blessed 
to  her  translation  out  of  spiritual  darkness  into 
the  light  of  Him  who  is  the  Light  of  the  world  ! 


CHAPTERXXIII. 


1883-1884:    ^T.  61-61 +. 


F 


ROM  November  it  became  more  and  more  evi- 
dent from  month  to  month  that  Dr.  Green  was 
near  that  event  which  he  had  long  contemplated 
with  calmness,  and  sometimes  with  desire.  His 
conscious  approach  did  not  change  in  the  least 
the  feeline  and  view  of  it  he  had  so  often  and  so 
confidently  expressed  when  it  seemed  more  dis- 
tant. His  was  the  path  of  the  just,  which  is  as 
the  shining  light  that  shineth  more  and  more  un- 
to the  perfect  day. 

Green   Hill,  Deceinber  20,   1883. 

My  Dear  Brother  Andrew  : 

....  I  was  lately  thinking  that  our  little 
sphere,  in  its  careering  along  and  about  in  the 
universe,  never  doubles  its  track  ;  for  though  it 
circles  about  our  sun,  the  sun  is  in  rapid  flight 
around  some  greater  centre.-  We  are  borne  con- 
stantly through  new  regions,  and  shall  be  perhaps 
untold  cycles  in  return  to  any  former  course.    And 


Aetat.  61.1  Decline  of  health.  417 


SO  our  own  personal  microcosm, — physical,  men- 
tal, spiritual, — from  strength  to  strength,  from  glo- 
ry to  glory.  Oh  how  we  need  the  strong  grasp 
of  the  pierced  hand,  as  in  our  littleness  we  toddle 
forward  the  interminable  journey.  Joy,  that  it  is 
ever  stretched  out  towards  us  to  cherish  and  to 
cheer 

Affectionately, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 

During  the  weeks  that  followed,  his  decline 
was  constant.  In  February  it  seemed  to  become 
more  rapid.  A  few  extracts  from  his  notes  to  his 
brother  Andrew  indicate  his  own  view  of  his  con- 
dition. 

nth, — I  am  thankful  to  report  myself  much 
better  to-day  of  the  last  added  ail.  The  swallow- 
ing is  less  a  distress.  Yesterday  I  neither  looked 
into  a  book  nor  hardly  out  of  a  window.  To-day 
I  am  able  to  be  a  little  at  my  desk.  The  will  of 
God  is  the  mightiest  and  most  glorious  among  all 
things  of  the  Universe.  In  sickness  to  see  it  is 
most  helpful,  for  the  logic  of  it  is  comforting. 

14th, — I  hope  to  get  out  and  about  again  when 
we  have  settled  sunshine. 

15th, — I  have  a  very  acceptable  and  encourag- 
ing letter  from  Jaffna  to  26th  December,  1883. 


41 8  Brotherly  kindness.  [A.  D.  1884. 


20th, — I  can  hardly  thank  you  duly  for  your 
very  liberal  offer  of  residence  at  the  South.  I 
feel  no  climate  with  exile  discomforts  can  excel 
home  comforts  in  one's  native  air. 

25th, — I  thank  you  for  kind  thought  about  res- 
pirators.    I  could  make  no  use  of  one. 


The  following  letter  indicates  at  the  beginning 
a  very  feeble  and  trembling  hand,  somewhat  stead- 
ied in  the  sequel  by  his  thought  and  affection. 


Green  Hill,  March  24,  1884. 

My  Dear  Brother  Andrew: 

I  have  for  long  been  hoping  each  succeed- 
ing day  to  write  you  and  tell  you  how  deeply  I 
appreciate  your  repeated  messages  of  loving  in- 
terest. I  sweetly  realize  that  "  A  brother  is  born 
for  adversity." 

"  The  outward  man  perishes,  but  the  inward 
man  is  renewed  day  by  day."  We  can  live  but 
one  life  at  a  time,  and  as  there  is  such  full  assur- 
ance that  the  next  life  is  to  the  believer  in  Jesus 
such  a  vast  advance  in  various  advantages  over 
the  present,  one  cannot  but  desire  to  reach  it. 
All  in  due  time,  all  in  the  Lord's  time,  all  in  the 
best  time. 

It  is  a  great  pleasure  to  think  of  you  enjoying 
active  life,  and  contributing  to  the  happiness  of  so 


Aetat.  61.]  Last  letter.  4^9 

many.  I  am  frequently  overcome  by  the  great 
kindness  and  tenderness  shown  me.  I  see  in  it 
the  Lord  Jesus  at  His  unvarying  employ  of  "do- 
ing good."  How  can  I  sufficiently  thank  Him 
for  so  environing  me  ! 

Ever  and  affectionately, 

Your  brother, 

Samuel  F.  Green. 


Early  in  April,  Dr.  Green  seemed  to  decline  so 
much  less  rapidly  that  his  friends  thought  he 
might  live  till  autumn.  The  expectation  was 
cherished  till  within  five  days  of  his  decease,  when 
he  penned  his  last  letter,  closing  abruptly,  without 
sentiment  or  signature,  as  if  exhausted  by  the 
effort. 


Green   Hill,  May  23,  1884. 

My  Beloved  Brother  Andrew  : 

I  set  pen  to  you  with  joy  after  long  wait- 
ing. The  torpor  is  great,  and  the  tire  greater. 
So  farewell. 

I  would  be  proficient  in  the  art  of  conversation, 
seasoned  always  with  grace,  as  with  salt. 

I  rejoice  with  you  in  at  last  reaching  the  falls 
and  pools  all  along  the  ditch.    This  season  seems 


42 o  Death.  [A.  D.  1884. 


to  really  treat  you  with  a  look  at  various  desirable 
results  after  waiting  and  working  thereto. 

On  the  same  day  he  took  a  short  drive  with  his 
brother  Martin,  enjoying  for  the  last  time  the 
freshness  of  the  fields,  the  beauty  and  fragrance 
of  the  orchard.  The  morning  of  the  28th  was 
nearly  spent  when  he  called  for  his  friends  and 
bade  them  farewell.  When  asked  if  Jesus  was 
near  him,  he  answered  with  emphasis,  Yes,  very 
near.  Then,  with  the  sun  and  the  Sun  of  Right- 
eousness at  meridian,  he  passed  to  the  inheritance 
of  the  saints  in  light. 


Record  of  the  Book  of  Green  Hill. 
May  28,   1884. 

Our  precious  and  most  dearly  loved  brother 
Samuel  died  at  fifteen  minutes  past  twelve  o'clock 
this  afternoon. 

The  day  was  rainy,  the  apple  blossoms  were  in 
their  full  sheen  upon  the  orchards.  The  trees  in 
the  bounteous  freshness  of  their  newleaf  age,  and  the 
fields  smooth  and  bright  in  the  luxuriant  verdure 
of  their  carpeting.  The  whole  landscape  seemed 
animated  by  the  vital  forces  of  the  resurrection  of 
Spring — all  about  was  peaceful  and  still. 


Aetat.  61.]  Parting  luords.  421 


One  of  the  children,  Lucy,  came,  in  seeming 
haste,  to  me,  and  said,  Papa  wishes  you  to  come, 
and  was  afraid  he  might  die  before  I  got  there. 

As  I  stepped  into  the  room  and  approached  the 
bed-side  of  the  dying  brother,  he  said,  "  Call  the 
sisters  and  brothers  to  come  in,  one  by  one,  and 
then  Margaret  and  the  children  ;"  then,  reaching 
his  hand  to  me,  he  said,  '"The  Lord  bless  you, 
and  keep  you  :  the  Lord  make  his  face  to  shine 
upon  you,  and  be  gracious  unto  you  :  the  Lord 
lift  up  his  countenance  upon  you,  and  give  you 
peace,'— peace  based  upon  pardon,  and  pardon 
upon  penitence.  I  will  say  farewell  to  you,  bro- 
ther Andrew,  but  you  stand  by  till  all  are  through, 
and  we  will  so  form  a  trio." 

Sister  Lucy  then  came  in,  then  sister  Mary, 
then  brother  Martin,  then  Margaret  his  wife,  then 
his  children  in  order  of  age,  Julia,  Lucy,  Mary, 
Nathan.  Each  he  bade  good  bye,  with  a  few 
brief  words  of  tender  affection. 

He  evidently  spoke  as  one  who  knew  that  no 
moment  was  to  be  lost.  To  one  of  the  servants 
who  had  come  in  he  turned  with  his  uplifted 
hand  toward  heaven. 

Serene  and  composed,  he  asked  to  be  aided  to 
turn  on  his  side,  then  shortly  turned  his  face  up- 
ward ;  and  in   a  few  minutes,  without  a  struo-ale, 
his  loving,  gentle  spirit  winged  its  flight  to'^'the 
39 


422 


Funeral.  I  A.  D.  1884. 


bosom  of  Jesus  who  was  his  all;  to  that  city 
which  none  can  enter  "  but  they  which  are  written 
in  the  Lamb's  Book  of  Life." 


The  religious  services  were  conducted  by  the 
Rev.  Daniel  Merriman,  D.  D.,  pastor  of  the  Cen- 
tral Church,  with  which  the  family  were  identified. 

Mr.  Cutler  of  the  Union  Church  gave  a  brief 
account  of  Dr.  Green  as  a  missionary,  introducing 
it  by  an  extract  from  his  Will. 


"  I  wish  that  my  funeral  may  be  conducted  as 
inexpensively  as  may  consist  with  decency  and 
order.  Let  the  exercises  be  simply  to  edification; 
and  of  the  dead,  speak  neither  blame  or  praise. 

Should  I  ever  have  a  gravestone,  let  it  be  plain 
and  simple,  and  bear  the  following  inscription :  viz., 


SAMUEL  FISK  GREEN, 

1822—188 
Medical  Evangelist  to  the  Tamils. 
Jesus  my  all." 


Funeral  address.  423 


These  requests,  which  I  read  from  the  will  of 
our  departed  friend,  written  during  his  final  ill- 
ness, are  characteristic.  They  are  few  and  brief, 
delicate  and  circumspect.  They  betray  his  habit- 
ual preference  of  others  to  himself,  his  dislike  of 
extravagance  and  display,  his  delicate  sense  of 
propriety,  his  shrinking  from  obtrusiveness,  and 
his  spiritual  mindedness.  For  himself  he  would 
as  soon  his  mortal  part  should  rest  in  oblivion ; 
for  his  friends  he  would  have  it  in  remembrance  ; 
to  the  world  he  would  have  it  still  speak  the 
teaching  of  his  life  ;  and  for  his  Lord  and  Sav- 
iour he  would  have  it  bear  witness  to  his  faith  and 
hope,  his  love  and  devotion,  his  assurance  and  his 
joyful  anticipation.  The  remembrance  of  his  life 
gives  special  significance  and  force  to  these  simple 
expressions  of  his  desire  in  regard  to  his  funeral, 
and  the  marking  of  his  grave.  His  wish  is  sacred, 
and  must  be  regarded.  It  does  not,  however,  ex- 
clude his  desire  that  "  the  exercises  "  should  be  to 
the  "edification  "  of  those  who  should  be  present. 
He  shrank  from  censure,  and  he  deserves  none. 
He  was  averse  to  eulogy,  and  he  needs  none. 
But  his  supreme  regard  for  Jesus,  his  All,  would 
not  allow  h-im  to  wish  for  silence  in  respect  to  the 
power  of  Pi  is  grace  and  the  glory  of   His  name. 

It  seems  almost  presumptuous  for  one  who  only 
saw  him  occasionally  to  attempt   to  portray  his 


42  4  Funeral  address. 


character  and  work  to  anybody,  but  especially  to 
those  who  knew  him  in  the  intimacy  of  daily  in- 
tercourse. It  is  not,  however,  to  give  information, 
but  simply  to  gather  up  in  few  words  the  main 
features  of  his  life,  that  we  may  take  leave  of  him 
intelligently,  and  hold  him  in  grateful  remem- 
brance. 

In  his  physical  constitution  he  was  frail  even 
from  his  infancy.  But  by  the  consequently 
greater  care  on  the  part  of  others  and  on  his  own, 
his  life  wanted  less  than  half  a  score  of  three- 
score years  and  ten.  He  who  destined  him  for 
his  work  graciously  preserved  him  through  frailty, 
illnesses,  and  dangers  till  his  work  was  done  ;  and 
done  so  as  to  present  the  fullness  and  complete- 
ness that  are  naturally  expected  only  of  those  who 
are  more  robust  and  have  a  longer  term  of  years. 

Having  chosen  the  medical  profession  and 
qualified  himself  for  it,  and  having  consecrated 
himself  to  the  service  of  God  in  aid  of  the  welfare 
and  redemption  of  his  fellow  men,  he  gave  him- 
self to  the  work,  at  twenty-four  years  of  age,  under 
appointment  by  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M.,  as  Medical 
Missionary  to  the  Tamils. 

This  was  in  1847,  when  the  journey  to  his  field  of 
labor  consumed  four  months  and  a  half.  The  first 
thing  to  do  was  of  course  to  acquire  the  language 
of  the  people.     Beginning  the  study  of  it  before 


Funeral  address.  425 


his  embarkation  and  devoting  himself  to  it  with 
assiduity  on  his  arrival,  he  was  soon  able  to  make 
himself  useful  as  a  physician  ;  and  by  occasion  of 
his  professional  intercourse  with  the  people  his 
mastery  of  their  tongue,  colloquially,  was  greatly 
facilitated,  and  his  preparation  for  his  evangelistic 
duties  was  proportionally  hastened. 

His  field  was  now  a  wide  one,  embracing  the 
missionaries  within  a  radius  of  about  twelve  miles, 
the  English  residents,  and  all  the  natives  to  whom 
he  could  get  access,  or  who  could  get  access  to 
him.  To  heal  diseases  of  the  body  while  endeav- 
oring to  heal  that  of  the  soul  was  the  method  of 
the  great  Physician  whom  he  had  taken  as  his 
model.  In  ministering  thus  to  the  physical  wants 
of  the  people  he  rapidly  gained  their  confidence, 
and  great  influence  over  them,  until  he  was  wel- 
come everywhere  among  the  high  and  the  low  as 
their  devoted  friend,  and  as  their  physical  and 
spiritual  benefactor. 

How  exactly  fitting  to  his  character  was  his 
position  as  the  superintendent  of  the  Jaffna 
Friend-in-Need  Society's  Hospital,  in  which  sev- 
eral thousand  patients  were  treated  annually. 
But  his  main  work  was  in  connection  with  the 
American  Mission  Dispensary,  where  the  number 
of  patients  treated  exceeded  two  thousand  a  year. 
Here,  as  everywhere,  he  took  the  opportunity  to 


Funeral  address. 


o-ive  relio-ious  instruction  in  connection  with  his 
work  as  physician  and  surgeon.  In  the  report  of 
the  Ceylon  Mission  of  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M.  for 
1852,  it  is  said:  "We  beHeve  that  much  good  is 
being  accompHshed  among  the  people  in  con- 
nection with  this  department  of  missionary  labor, 
not  only  in  weakening  the  power  of  their  false 
and  superstitious  notions  concerning  the  healing 
art,  but  in  spreading  a  knowledge  of  the  gospel. 
It  is  arranged,  that  those  who  come  for  medical 
attendance  may  hear  the  discourse  delivered  daily 
at  the  appointed  hour,  in  which  the  way  of  salva- 
tion and  kindred  topics  are  dwelt  upon,  and  many 
are  conversed  with  individually."  What  a  tax 
upon  a  constitution  never  strong,  and  alive  with 
the  tenderest  sympathies. 

His  labors  were  even  yet  more  abundant.  He 
early  saw  the  importance  of  educated  native  phy- 
sicians, and  proceeded  to  gather  suitable  Tamil 
young  men  under  his  instruction,  carrying  them 
through  a  regular  course  of  study,  and  graduating 
them  with  diplomas  which  not  merely  certified 
their  qualifications,  but  made  them  sought  for 
the  English  stations  in  the  country.  His  grad- 
uates as  physicians  and  surgeons  numbered  no 
less  than  seventy.  All  these  he  imbued  as  far  as 
possible  with  his  own  moral  and  religious  princi- 
ples, that  they  also  might  do  their  work  as  they 
saw  him  trying  to  do  his. 


Funeral  address.  427 


After  eleven  years  of  service,  he  found  it  need- 
ful to  return  to  his  early  home.  On  the  way  he 
took  the  opportunity  to  enlarge  his  knowledge  by 
visiting  Paris,  London,  Oxford,  Edinburgh,  Dub- 
lin and  other  places.  After  an  interval  of  about 
five  years  in  his  native  land,  he  was  married  and 
went  again  to  Ceylon.  This  was  in  1862,  in  the 
latter  part  of  which  he  had  a  narrow  escape  from 
death  by  the  falling  of  the  tiled  roof  of  his  house, 
as  he  had  in  1855  by  the  cholera.  After  devoting 
eleven  years  more  to  his  work,  he  was  constrained 
again  to  return  to  America,  by  failing  health,  in 
the  hope  that  he  might  after  a  period  of  repose 
find  himself  able  to  resume  his  work  in  India. 
In  this  he  was  disappointed.  Thus  our  friend 
had  about  twenty-two  years  of  service  among  the 
Tamils.  But  what  of  the  remaining  eleven  years 
here  at  home.'^  Though  absent  in  the  body,  he 
was  still  present  in  the  spirit  with  the  people  to 
whom  he  had  given  his  life-service.  Here  he 
continued  the  work  of  translation,  compilation  and 
composition  of  a  vast  amount  of  knovvledge  need- 
ful to  them,  placing  them  nearly  if  not  quite 
abreast  with  Europe  and  America  in  respect  to 
the  science  and  practice  of  medicine  and  surgery. 
Of  the  seven  volumes,  containing  from  three 
hundred  or  four  hundred  to  nine  hundred  pages 
each,  five  were  completed  by  him  before  leaving 


42S  Funeral  address. 


India,  the  remaining  two,  with  other  minor  works, 
after  his  return  to  this  country.  These  publica- 
tions bear  witness  to  his  unflagging  industry, 
patience,  self-denial  and  benevolence,  as  well  as  to 
his  knowledge  and  skill.  These  books  are  in  India 
and  Ceylon  recognized  as  standard  authorities. 
Yet  how  few  among  us  were  aware  of  the  great 
service  that  was  rendered  that  people  by  this 
quiet,  methodical  man,  who  seemed  more  like  an 
invalid  who  needed  all  his  care  to  presei-ve  his 
own  health  !  The  literary  work  w^as  accompanied 
by  an  immense  correspondence  in  securing  from 
publishers  in  England  and  America  permission 
to  use  their  illustrations  of  the  various  parts  of 
the  human  body,  as  in  health  or  affected  by  dis- 
ease, and  of  instruments,  means  and  methods  of 
treatment  ~  all  as  important  to  the  Tamil 
students  and  practitioners  as  to  those  of  Europe 
and  America,  as  well  as  by  correspondence  with 
the  agents  of  the  English  government  and  with 
the  English  and  American  missionaries. 

What  may  well  increase  our  estimate  of  his 
labors,  is  the  fact  that  his  means  were  always 
limited,  and  that  he  wrought  on,  content  that 
Providence  had  so  environed  him. 

Still  he  found  time  to  write  religious  articles  or 
tracts,  to  distribute  them  where  he  thought  they 
might  be  useful,  and  to  converse  with  all  he  met 


Funeral  address.  429 


long  enough  to  point  them,  in  his  deUcate,  in- 
offensive way,  to  the  privilege  and  duty  of  living, 
not  for  themselves,  but  for-  others,  and  to  Him 
who  died  for  them  and  rose  agcain.  It  is  believed 
that  he  has  found  and  is  to  find  a  great  number 
of  persons  "turned  to  righteousness"  by  his  in- 
strumentality. 

Of  his  domestic  relations  we  may  not  speak 
except  in  the  most  general  terms.  When  a 
brother  of  large  experience  and  observation  can 
testify  of  him  as  the  completest  approximation  to 
the  Christian  ideal,  all  that  need  be  said,  or  can 
be  said,  is  said  by  implication  and  with  emphasis. 
Imagination  can  draw  the  picture  of  the  recipro- 
cally loving  and  beloved,  and  of  the  numberless 
offices  by  which  that  reciprocity  was  expressed. 
His  example  and  his  counsels,  his  consideration 
and  unselfishness,  his  constancy  and  strength  of 
affection,  constitute  a  richer  legacy  to  them  than 
any  material  good  which  Providence  might  have 
given  him. 

It  is  grateful  to  our  feelings  that  his  intellectual 
powers  were  unimpaired  and  unobscured  to  the 
end,  and  that  his  assurance  and  anticipation  of 
the  world  to  come  were  such  as  to  make  the 
prospect  of  a  possible  continuance  here,  even  for 
a  few  months  more,  a  disappointment.  Though 
not  yet  an  old  man,  he  knew  his  work  was  done. 


43^ 


Funeral  address. 


He  would  be  the  last  to  characterize  it  as  per- 
fect ;  but  to  us  it  seems  as  well-rounded  and 
finished  as  possible  with  his  limitations. 

"  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord ; 
Yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from  their 
labors;  and  their  works  do  follow  them."  His 
impress  on  the  Tamils  will  not  disappear  with 
those  with  whom  he  came  in  personal  contact. 
Moral  and  Christian,  as  well  as  professional  in- 
fluence, are  reproductive.  The  forces  may  cease, 
after  a  time,  to  be  recognized  as  proceeding  from 
their  proper  source,  or  even  to  be  at  work  at  alL 
But  though  silent,  and  undistinguishable  by  us 
from  those  influences  which  seem  to  be  radiating 
from  immediate  and  visible  sources,  they  are  per- 
[)etuating  themselves  so  that  their  author  "  being 
dead  yet  speaketh." 

The  name  of  Dr.  Gre-en  will  bring  to  our 
recollection  the  man  as  he  lived  and  moved 
among  us  —  the  Christian  gentleman,  abounding 
in  good  will,  in  sympathy,  in  friendly  feeling,  in 
charity,  in  genuine  and  unaffected  courtesy. 
Sincerity  and  heartiness  were  the  obvious  and 
spontaneous  expression  of  his  whole  bearing. 
"  Wisdom  maketh  a  man's  face  to  shine."  His 
face  was  radiant  with  that  wisdom  which  cometh 
from  above,  and  which  makes  the  recipient  reflect 
the  gift. 


Funeral  address,  431 


For  all  that  he  was,  however,  and  for  all  that 
he  accomplished,  he  would  have  said,  "  Not  unto 
me,  not  unto  me,  but  unto  thy  name,  O  Lord,  be 
the  glory."  He  had  the  common  infirmities  of 
the  race,  and,  like  every  one  else,  had  natural 
obstacles  to  withstand  and  overcome.  He  knew 
this,  and  felt  his  dependence ;  but  he  realized  in 
himself  the  sufficiency  of  that  "  grace  to  help  "  on 
w^hich  he  relied.  By  this  grace  he  attained  to 
great  self  control,  tranquility  and  joyousness  of 
soul.  Clear  in  his  apprehensions,  honest  in  his 
convictions,  he  knew  how  to  differ  from  the 
opinions  of  others  without  giving  offense,  and 
without  losing  his  self-respect,  or  the  respect  of 
others  for  him.  With  the  tenderness  and  delicacy 
and  tact  of  a  woman,  he  adhered  to  principle  with 
a  winning  tolerance  but  a  masculine  firmness. 

These  remarks  may  seem  very  close  to  eulogy, 
but  I  trust  they  have  not  transcended  his  ex- 
pressed desire  ;  for  the  "edification"  he  suggested 
seemed  to  require  a  plain  statement  of  the  leading 
features  of  his  character  and  facts  of  his  career, 
in  order  to  give  his  Lord  and  ours  the  glory  of 
that  grace  of  which  he  was  a  manifest  subject, 
and  of  that  good  to  others  of  which  he  was  the 
ever  humble  and  grateful  instrument.  He 
certainly  would  not  conceal  the  fact,  or  his  satis- 
faction with  the  fact,  that  he  had  been  permitted 


432  Funeral  address'. 


to  spend  his  mature  years  as  Medical  Evangelist 
to  the  Tamils;  nor  would  he  have  had  anything 
omitted  that  might  be  through  him  to  the  glory 
of  his  Master. 

You  who  are  bereaved  have  great  reason  to  be 
thankful  for  such  a  life.  You  have  to  bear  your 
sorrow,  each  in  the  degree  to  which  it  affects  him, 
alone;  none,  with  how.ever  much  sympathy,  can 
help  you.  But  there  is  One  who  by  reason  of 
His  sinless  character  and  human  experience,  and 
by  reason  of  His  exaltation  to  that  throne  where 
He  is  invested  with  all  power. in  heaven  and  on 
earth,  and  where  he  ever  liveth  to  make  inter- 
cession for  us,  can  realize  to  you  the  sympathy 
and  support  you  need.  To  Him  I  commend  you  ; 
for  you  cannot  seek  in  vain  of  "  Him  who  in  that 
he  himself  hath  suffered  being  tempted  is  able  to 
succor  them  that  are  tempted." 


Record  c*"  the  Book  of  Green  Hill, 
May  30,  1884. 

The  funeral  of  our  loved  brother  Samuel 
was  from  the  House  at  Green  Hill,  at  two  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon.  Many  relatives  and  friends  were 
present,  and  his  remains  were  laid  in  the  family 
ground  at  the  Rural  Cemetery. 

"Certainly  this  was  a  righteous  man," 


Mr.  Sciidder  aftd  Mr.  Hastings.  433 

A  composition  of  his  boyhood  at  school,  depre- 
cating "  the  love  of  praise,"  disclosed  a  sentiment 
characteristic  of  him  to  the  end  of  hfe.  Thous^h 
when  it  was  written  he  was  but  a  moral- 
ist, yet  after  he  became  a  Christian  it  was 
sanctified  into  a  spiritual  habit.  While  he  dis- 
liked praise,  however,  he  was  not  given  to  self- 
disparagement  among  his  fellow-men,  beyond  the 
consciousness  that  without  Christ  he  was  nothing ; 
but  with  Christ  strens^theninQ^  him  he  felt  com- 
petent  for  any  task  providentially  assigned  him. 

While  a  considerable  portion  of  important 
communications  from  missionaries  and  physicians 
has  been  incorporated  in  the  narrative,  a  few 
extracts  from  those  more  recent  will  not  seem 
inappropriate. 

Dr.  Samuel    F.  Green  was  one  of    the  noblest 

of   men.     He  possessed  a  clear,  keen, 

Henry"  M^rtrn  cultivatcd    intcllcct,    sparkling     with 

scud^der,  M.  D.,  ^j^^      ^l^    ^^^    largc-hcartcd,  sincere, 

generous,  unselfish.  He  was  an  earn- 
est, faithful,  zealous,  fearless  Christian.  I  loved 
him  when  living,  and  shall  ever  revere  his  memory. 

Dr.  Green  gained  a  great  reputation  in 

the    country,    and    his    services    were  sought    by  ^^J" 
40 


434  ^^''-  Hastings  and  Mr.  Howland. 


all  classes.     He  was  kind  and  affable 
From  the  Rev,  ^^  ^  ^^^  ^^^^   thclr  confidcnce   and 

E.  P.  Hastings,  D. 

D.,  President  c,f  gQod   Will.      It   was    His    practice    to 

Jaffna  College.  i  •    i  i  i  i    • 

speak  with  those  who  came  to  him, 
and  with  many  whom  he  met,  about  their  souls 
and  their  need  of  a  Saviour;  and  no  one  could 
doubt  that,  while  willing  to  do  all  he  could  to 
relieve  men's  physical  infirmities,  he  desired  still 
more  their  spiritual  good.  He  was  a  missionary 
physician  in  the  fullest  sense,  subordinating  his 
profession  to  the  service  of  Christ.  He  accom- 
plished a  great  work,  especially  in  the  training  of 
young  men  to  the  practice  of  medicine,  and  in 
preparing  in  the  vernacular  language  useful 
medical  works.  He  was  highly  esteemed  and 
beloved  by  those  associated  with  him  in  the  Mis- 
sionary work,  and  his  departure  from  the  field  was 
regarded  by  all  as  a  loss  not  easily  repaired. 

Dr.  Green  was    eminently  skilful   as    a   physi- 
cian and  surgeon,  and  devoted  himself 

From    the   Rev.      .  i    •  f  °  'il  1  .^1 

w.  w.  Howland,  to  liis  protcssiou  With  much  enthu- 
missionary  in  Cey-  gj^gm  \  whllc  thoroughly  acqualutcd 
with  the  science  and  practice  of  medi- 
cine, ....  he  was  ever  ready  and  anxious  to  learn 
everything  new  and  valuable  in  theory  or  practice 
from  any  source ;  .  .  .  ingenious  and  courageous, 
yet  with  the  gentle  touch  of  a  woman,  some  of  his 
operations  seemed  to  the  natives  most  wonderful. 


Mr.  Howland.  43: 


His  great  desire  and  the  prominent  object  to 
which  he  devoted  himself  was  to  replace  the  mis- 
erable quackery  of  the  country  by  the  diffusion  of 
true  medical  science  and  by  training  skilful 
practitioners.  At  first  the  instruction  was  in 
English,  the  classes  using  English  text-books; 
but  finding  that  these  thus  trained  went  into 
positions  under  government  and  foreigners,  he 
decided  to  educate  in  the  language  of  the  people. 
He  commenced  the  translation  of  medical  text- 
books. In  this  he  had  the  assistance  of  students 
alteady  trained,  himself  superintending  and  re- 
vising their  translations,  for  which  he  was  re- 
markably well  fitted,  having  obtained  a  very 
thorough  and  critical  knowledge  and  use  of  the 
Tamil  language.  The  books  thus  translated  are 
a  most  valuable  bequest  to  the  people. 

A  man,  who  had  heard    the  truth  till 

past  middle  life  and  yet  continued  a  heathen  idol- 
ater, when  taken  with  cholera  was  attended  by  Dr 
Green  and  his  assistants,  and  recovered.  He 
then  became  and  continued  a  consistent  Christian 
through  his  life  ;  giving  as  a  reason  for  his  change 
that  the  devotion  and  care  of  Dr.  Green  and  his 
assistants,  when  others  would  not  help  or  come 
near  him,  convinced  him  that  theirs  must  be  the 
true  religion. 


436  Mr.    Webb. 


Dr.  Green  was  a  genial  companion,  a  warm  and 
thoughtful  friend,  a  true  Christian  gentleman  and 
a  devoted  missionary.  His  love  and  devotion  to 
Jesus  were  very  marked.  He  recognized  Jesus 
not  alone  as  Saviour  and  Friend  but  as  King  and 
Ruler,  controlling  every  event,  whose  aid  should 
ever  be  sought  and  depended  upon,  and  to  whom 
all  praise  and  honor  are  due.  In  all  his  medical 
works  he  has  a  prayer  to  Jesus,  in  the  preface  and 
at  the  end  of  the  book  —  one  in  English  and  the 
other  in  Tamil. 

His  influence  is  most  marked  and  manifest  ^s 
it  was  impressed  upon  his  students  by  example 
and  precept. 

....  My  acquaintance  with  him  (Dr.  Green) 

began  on  occasion  of  a  visit  to  Jaffna 

From  the  Rev.  f^j-  health  iu  1 848.     A  Httlc  iucidcnt 

Edward      Webb,  _      ^  _  ^ 

formerly  mission-  exhlblts    hls    chccry    plcasantry.       It 

ary     in     Southern  _  ..    ^ .  , 

India  was  the  custom  at  rather  bpauldmgs 

breakfast-table  for  each  one  to  repeat 
a  Scripture  verse.  His  verse  was,  "  Be  not  for- 
getful to  entertain  strangers :  for  thereby  some 
have  entertained  angels  unawares."  The  applica- 
tion was  made  in  a  smile  all  around  and  a  glance 
at  the  brother  and  sister  from  Madura.  Another 
thing  occurred  there  to  which  my  thoughts  have 
often  turned.     We  were  speaking  of  our  religious 


Mr.    Webb.  437 

experience,  he  and  I  alone.  I  remarked,  "When 
I  wander  away  from  Jesus  for  a  time,  how  blessed 
to  return  and  find  Him  as  loving  as  ever."  His 
reply  was  as  specific  of  his  piety  as  the  other 
incident  of  his  pleasantry:  "  I  have  no  experience 
of  that;  I  have  never  left  my  Saviour  for  an  hour 
since  He  first  became  mine." 

I  had  been  on  the  mission  field  for  about  two 
years,  he  for  less  than  one.  Both  of  us  were  hard 
and  greatly  interested  students  of  the  native 
language.  We  studied  together  then.-  He  used 
to  say  I  helped  him  so  much ;  and,  to  express  his 
respect  and  gratitude,  had  the  fashion  of  raising 
his  hat  and  bowing  almost  reverently  whenever 
we  met.  I  could  not  understand  this  treatment, 
for  I  felt  I  received  quite  as  much  as  I  gave.  But 
humility  and  reverence  were  distinguishing  graces 
in  his  religious  life.  He  used  to  underestimate 
his  power  and  correspondingly  overestimate  that 
of  his  brethren.  At  one  time  I  used  to  think  that 
his  reverent  salutations  were  marks  of  his  quaint 
humor;  perhaps  they  were  in  part,  but  he  was  too 
sincere  and  childlike  in  his  make-up  to  put  on  or 
affect  anything  of  the  kind. 

That  visit  was  the  beginning  of  a  loving  and 
intimate  friendship.  I  greatly  prized  the  corre- 
spondence which  followed,  and  which  did  not 
cease  till   the   pen   dropped   from   his   tremblino- 


438  Mr.  Bates. 

hand.  A  few  days  before  his  death,  he  wrote  on  one 
of  his  own  visiting  cards:  "With  loving  salutations 
and  farewell.  The  outward  man  perishes  rapidly." 
I  have  carried  this  with  me  ever  since. 

Of  his  missionary  fidelity  and  self-denying  labor, 
of  his  literary  works  in  his  professional  depart- 
ment, of  the  unusual  and  very  remarkable  pro- 
ficiency he  acquired  in  speaking  and  writing  the 
Tamil  language,  of  his  great  success  as  a  teacher 
and  professor  in  the  training  of  native  physicians, 
there  is  perhaps  no  need  that  I  should  write. 

The  memory  of  your  precious  husband  is 
among  the  most  inspiring  and  elevating  to  which 
I  can  turn.  I  thank  God  for  honoring  me  with 
such  a  friend. 

Our  Ceylon  acquaintance  was  brief ;  we  only 

met    occasionally,    and    then    mostly 

From  the  Rev.  ^|-jgj-j  ]^g  camc  to  doctor  me  or  mine, 

James     A.    Bates, 

once  a  missionary  Qr  wlicu  all  our  intcrcoursc  was  pro- 

in  Ceylon.  ,  -rt-i  ri'  •  1 

lessional.  My  idea  oi  hrni  is  that  as 
physician  he  was  always  very  careful  in  expressing 
an  opinion,  but  very  quick  in  forming  one  for 
himself. 

On  one  occasion,  when  we  had  ridden  together 
to  a  village  in  the  Chavagacherry  field  not  often 
visited  by  foreigners,  I  looked  on  with  wonder  at 
the  rapidity  with  which  he  prescribed  for  one,  and 


The  Misses  Leitch  a?id  Mr.  Sanders.  439 

then  performed  a  surgical  operation  on  another. 
As  I  remember  it,  I  should  think  he  must  have 
disposed  of  fifty  cases  in  an  hour. 

It  was  a  wonder  to  me,  too,  how  the  news  that 
Dr.  Green  was  in  Chavagacherry,  or  was  coming, 
would  go  out  among  the  people,  so  that  some- 
times he  would  find  a  crowd  of  the  sick  and  the 
lame  and  the  blind  waiting  for  him  to  heal  them 
when  he  drove  up.  Then  the  natives  thought  he 
could  do  anything  and  everything. 

The    late   Dr.  Green   used    always,    after    pre- 
scribing, to    kneel     down    and    offer 
From  the  Misses  prayer     for     God's     blessina:.       The 

Leitch,  of  the  Cey-     ^         ■'  _  O 

Ion  Mission.  licathen  respected  him  for  this,  and 
many  heathen  will  to-day  speak  of  him 
with  grateful  love,  pointing  out  the  spot  in  their 
house  and  saying,  "  It  was  there  that  Dr.  Green 
knelt  and  prayed  for  the  recovery  of  my  child." 

Mr.  Frank  K.  Sanders,  son  of  a  missionary  in 
Ceylon,  and  five  years  a  teacher  in 
jrom^Mr.  Frank  j^£f^^^  Collcge,  Ccylou,  Said  at  the 
annual  meeting  of  the  International 
Medical  Missionary  Society  in  New  York  in 
December,  1887:  "I  was  in  Jaffna  and  became 
acquainted  with  the  people  in  their  homes ;  and 
after  I  understood  their  lano^uaore  I  bes^an  to  hear 


44°  Fi'om  Afedical  Graduates. 

them  talking  of  Dr.  Green,  which  showed  to  me 
the  wonderful  way  in  which  his  life  had  taken 
hold  of  the  people  of  that  country.  His  memory 
is  just  as  strong  as  ever,  and  I  don't  see  any 
chance  of  its  fading  out.  His  plan  was  to  train 
up  doctors  from  among  their  own  people.  The 
result  is  that  to-day  the  leading  doctors  all  over 
Ceylon  are  Dr.  Green's  men.  These  men  all  feel 
a  love  for  him,  and  feel  it  incumbent  upon  them 
to  carry  out  his  views.  Very  many  have  told  me 
that  they  were  brought  to  the  Christian  life  by 
Dr.  Green." 

Dr.  Green    always,    as    a  rule,  commenced   to 

attend  on  patients  after  first  preaching 

From  Dr.  Wait-  \q  thcm  Christianity.     He  had  a  large 

illingam,  Assistant  _  _ 

Colonial  Surgeon,  hcart  glowiug  wlth  Sympathy  for  the 
world,  and  self-interest  was  never 
found  in  him.  ....  His  success  in  the  surgical 
operation*  he  performed,  first  induced  me  to 
study  medicine,  and  that  too  under  him. 

Although    English    medicine    was    introduced 

long   before  by  others,    ....    it  was 

From  Dr.  Siva-  rcscrvcd  for  Dr.  Green  by  his  general 

pragasam  piiiay.    g]^-||  ^^  producc  lu  thc  mlnds  of  the 

ignorant  a  faith  in   English  medicine. 
For  people  then  thought  that,  just  as  Jesus  Christ 

*See  Chapter  3,  under  October,  1847. 


From  Medical  Graduates.  441 

introduced  his  religion  by  curing  diseases,  so  then 
these  missionary  doctors  had  also  come  to  do  the 
same;  and  when  any  of  these  attended  on  a  sick 
patient,  the  idea  of  one's  transition  from  his  father's 
religion  to  Christianity  was  also  associated  with  it. 

Dr.  Green's  perseverance  and  zeal  may  be  best 
seen  in  the  number  and  character  of  his  graduates, 
who  are  at  this  moment  doing  immense  good  in 
various  parts  of  Ceylon  and  India. 

His  affability  and  hospitality,  combined  with 
his  knowledge  of  the  Tamil  language  and  the 
characteristics  of  the  natives  in  general,  endeared 
him  so  much  to  them  that  their  recollection  of 
him  still  retains  its  vividness The  cheer- 
fulness with  which  he  helped  the  poor  made  even 

children  cling  to  him  as  their  father His 

anxiety  to  win  souls  for  Christ  was  not  inferior  to 
that  of  any  missionary.  He  knew  when  and  how 
to  speak  to  the  people  about  their  indifference  to 
cure  diseases  of  their  souls.  He  was  indeed  a 
successful  preacher  of  Christianity. 

Dr.  Green  was  an  earnest  Christian  worker;  he 

used    to    speak   of    Christ  to  all  and 

From  Dr.  Ether-  cvcry  onc.     Hc  was  very  kind  to   all 

nayakam,  a/za^j  C.  ,,  <t-.,  ^— .  i-^.         ,         ,,         ., 

T.  Mills,  Fraction-  •  •  •  •  1  hc  Gooroo  Doctor  — the 
er  -d  indepen-  Mlsslonary   Doctor— Is    a    household 

dent    Medical  .' 

Teacher.  word  amottg  all  people 

He    is  an   undisputed  authority  in 


442  From  Medical  Graduates. 

Medicine  and  Surgery  among  the  Tamil  people, 
yea,  even  among  the  country  doctors.  He  shall 
be  our  illustrious  "Agastier"  in  future  all  over 
the  Tamil  lands.  His  translations  of  Western 
Medical  Works  into  the  Tamil  lano:nao;e  will 
secure  him  this  distinction.  .... 

In  an  occasion  of  typhoid  fever,  in  the  family  of 
a  native  Christian  lawyer  whose  five  children 
were  laid  up,  myself  and  a  colleague  of  mine  were 
the  attending  phycians.  On  a  certain  night,  the 
lawyer,  after  observing  the  care  and  attention 
bestowed  by  us  on  his  children,  gave  vent  to  the 
following  remark  :  "  If  Dr.  Green  has  not  come  to 
this  country,  and  if  he  has  not  trained  up  a  few 
of  our  young  men  in  the  art  of  healing,  the  idea 
that  the  European  Medicine  shall  ever  be  useful 
to  us,  and  that  we  shall  ever  be  able  to  avail  the 
services  of  such  men,  is  an  impossible  thing." 

I  am  afraid  I  cannot  pay  due  tribute  to  a  true 

Christian  and  as  true  a   patriot.  Dr. 

From  Dr.  Kana-  Grccn,  whosc  consccratcd  Hf c  combl ncd 

kadattinara,   alias  _  .  ,    ... 

L.  s.  Strong,  Gov-  wlth  rarc  talcut,  accu racy,  picty, ability, 
Officer"'  ^^'  fidelity  and  excellent  Christian  charac- 
ter; who  though  dead  is  still  in  the  hearts 
and  lips  of  thousands  in  Ceylon  and  India;  and 
whose  medical  and  scientific  works,  combining 
Western  theories  and  Eastern  practice,  are    left 


J^roin  Medical  Graduates,  443 

behind  for  the  benefit  of  future  generations.  .... 
When  a  respectable  native  gentleman  remarked 
to  him  that  all  which  could  be  spared  must  be 
spent  in  English  medical  education  he  replied, 
*'  I  must  have  the  satisfaction,  at  the  close  of  my 
work,  of  leaving  behind  this  very  useful  study  to 
the  Tamil  nation  in  their  own  tongue,  as  an  abid- 
ing thing,  and  not  in  a  foreign  language  which 
may  in  the  lapse  of  time  depart  from  the  land." 

We  learned  more  from  copying  his  life  than 
from  the  lessons  he  taught  us.  He  lectured  to  us, 
not  from  a  platform,  but  near  the  bedside.  He 
had  the  task  of  making  the  patients  laugh  even 
when  the  tears  were  flowing  from  the  pain  of 
operations. 

The  Doctor  desired  that  I  would  select 

a  place  in  Jaffna  and  make  it  my  place  of  useful- 
ness. I  have  come  down  here  (Point  Pedro)  and 
settled  for  the  last  twenty-one  years.  During  the 
time  I  had  to  attend  to  nearly  8000  people  affected 
with  cholera,  3000  with  small  pox,  besides  25000 
of  ordinary  sickness  that  came  under  my  care  and 
treatment  in  my  Dispensary. 

His  work  is  still  incomplete;  who  will  carry  it 
out?  Is  there  not  in  all  America  one  who  can 
sacrifice  his  comforts  and  follow  the  footsteps  of 
the  departed,  glorified,  sainted  doctor  of  souls  and 
body,  whose  name  is  engraved  in  the  hearts  of  the 
people } 


444  From  Medical  Graduates. 

My    personal    acquaintance     with     Dr.    Green 

extends  only  to  four  years,  commenc- 

,  ^""T  .^''^.^-l"  ino'  from  the  period  of  his  return  from 

liamPaul.a  lamil,  <->  i 

now   resident  Sur-     AmCnCain     1862. 

geon  of  the  Jaffna  a  1  •  i  1  1 

Friend-in-Need       At  thc  tuTie  wc  numbered    eleven 

Society's      Hospi-  i  1  i      ,  •  C        l. 

tai, Jaffna.  ^^d  wcre  ueady  completmg  our  nrst 

year's  course  of  study  under  one  of  his 
former  pupils.  The  Doctor  took  upon  himself 
the  sole  management  and  teaching  of  the  Class, 
and  we  were  put  under  strict  discipline  and  regu- 
lar system.  Although  he  was  strict  and  exacting, 
he  was  so  impartial  and  just  that  we  admired  his 
skill. 

He  expected  every  one  to  be  punctual  and 
diligent.  Exactly  at  9  o'clock  in  the  morning  he 
had  the  roll  called,  and  joined  the  Class  in  prayer. 
A  chapter  of  the  Bible  was  regularly  read,  verse 
by  verse,  by  every  one  of  the  students,  which  the 
Doctor  explained,  and  admonished.  He  took 
great  pains  to  inculcate  moral  principles  and 
Christian  character.  Those  who  were  not  Chris- 
tians were  not  in  the  least  forced  to  accept  the 
religion,  but  every  effort  was  made  to  convince 
them  of  the  truth. 

He  devoted  one  hour  in  the  morning  and  one 
in  the  afternoon  to  hear  recitations.  His  knowl- 
edge of  the  subjects  was  vast,  and  his  explanations 
clear    and    lucid.       Those   who  were   ready  with 


From  Medical  Graduates.  44^ 


their  lessons  fared  well,  but  those  who  took  no 
pains  were  marked  and  had  to  face  his  displeasure. 
So  far  as  I  have  known,  he  rarely  allowed  an 
opportunity  to  slip  without  telling  a  word  or  two 
about  the  Great  Physician.  When  he  visited  the 
sick  in  their  houses,. he  generally  squatted  by  the 
bedside  of  the  patient  according  to  Oriental  custom, 
and  by  his  funny  words  and  cheerful  looks  gener- 
ally made  even  the  worst  of  his  patients  to  smile. 
All  colloquial  and  common  phrases  and 
expressions  he  committed  to  memory.  His  free 
intercourse  with  the  mass  of  the  people  enabled 
him  to  acquire  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  collo- 
quial language. 

As  a  surgeon  he  was  par  excellence.     He  had 
not  the  equal  in  the   Island.     During  his  absence 
in  America  a  patient  was  operated  upon,  but  as 
is  generally  the  case  in  operations  of  that  kind 
there    was    a  defect  left  unremedied.     After  his  • 
return  from  America  he  saw  the  patient,  and  we 
noticed  him  for  hours  together  sitting  in  his  study 
in  deep  thought    and  contemplation.     One    day 
his  face  beamed  with  delight,  and  he  told  us  that 
he    had    hit    upon    a    remedy.      We    were   then 
students  in  our  second  year,  and  were  not  able  to 
follow  the  minute  descriptions  he  gave  about  it. 
He  said  he  failed  to  find  in  books  of  reference 
any  operation  mentioned  to  relieve  the  poor  man's 
41 


446  Frotn  Medical  Graduates. 

defect,  but  that  he  has  now  hit  upon  a  plan  which 
he  hoped  would  answer.  He  sent  for  some  of 
his  former  pupils,  and  successfully  performed  the 
operation.  The  man  is  still  alive — a  living  witness 
to  his  skill  and  ability. 

During  our  course  of  study  the' Doctor  made 
arrangements  to  teach   a  Class  in  the  Tamil  Ian- 

euaofe He  eno^acred  four  of  the  students 

to  assist  him  in  the  work,  and  it  fell  to  my  lot  to 
be  one  of  the  teachers.  Requested  to  chose  one 
among  his  pupils  to  be  sent  as  Medical  Officer  in 
charge  of  the  Government  Immigration  Service 
at  Pamben,  he  told  me  that  he  wished  to  see  me 
in  Dr.  Spaulding's  study  at  Oodooville.  In  the 
presence  of  Dr. Spaulding  he  said  to  me,  "William, 
I  have  decided  to  send  you  to  Pamben.  To  spare 
you  from  the  work  I  have  commenced  is  very 
inconvenient  to  me.  But  I  must  not  stand  in 
your  welfare.  I  have  been  a  task-master  and 
made  you  work  hard.  You  have  done  your  duty 
satisfactorily.  Had  I  commended  you  before  this, 
I  would  have  spoiled  you ;  but  now,  on  the  eve  of 
your  leaving  me,  I  do  not  hesitate  to  say  so.  You 
can  now  serve  under  any  strict  master.  Are  you 
willing  to  accept.-^"  I  replied  that  if  he  wished  to 
to  send  me  I  will  go.  Then  he  said,  "  I  will  give  you 
three  advices;  First,  keep  up  your  study;  second, 
sustain  your  moral  character;  third,  forsake  not 


From  Medical  Graduates.  ^^j 


your  religion."  He  commented  at  length  upon 
each  of  these  subjects,  and  I  promised  to  endeavor 
to  abide  by  his  advice.  Then  Dr.  Spaulding,  lay- 
ing his  hand  upon  my  head,  prayed;  and  I  was 
dismissed  with  his  blessine. 

I  was  indeed  very  sorry  to  part  with  my  bene- 
factor and  patron.  I  continued  to  help  him, 
while  at  Pamben,  in  finishing  the  translation  of 
the  book.  I  often  corresponded  with  him  as  a 
son     would     with     his    father.       He    took    erreat 

interest  in  the  welfare  of  his  pupils His 

work  and  the  good  he  did  to  the  country  still 
ring  throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  the 
land. 


I  knew  my  beloved  teacher  and  spiritual  father, 

Dr.    Green,    from    the    year   1862.     I 

.^:i^:.::'^.  ^as  with  him  for    ten    years    almost 

w.  Chapman,  evcry  day  except  Saturdays  and  Sun- 

Iranslator        and  -^ 

Physician  to  the  days Wlicu  hc  left  Jaffna  he 

American     Ceylon  ...  , 

Mission.  put  me  to  act  m  his  place. 

The  Doctor  had  in  view  to  educate 
and  give  a  physician  to  every  ten  thousand  of  the 
ten  millions  Tamil  population.  He  has  educated 
seventy-two  men  directly  and  sixty-two  indirectly 
.  .  .  .  The  Vernacular  graduates  have  turned  out 
successful  practitioners. 


From  Medical  Graduates. 


The  Jaffna  Friend-in-Need  Society's  Hospital, 
from  its  commencement  up  to  the  present  time, 
was  supplied  by  medical  officers  from  among  Dr. 
Green's  students.  This  Hospital  accomodates 
about  thirty  in-door  patients,  and  receives  on  an 
average  fifty  out-door  patients  daily.  The  Doctor 
was  visiting  this  institution  bi-weekly,  promptly 
getting  there  at  9  o'clock  A.  M.,  when  a  very 
large  crowd  of  sick  people  would  be  an^ftously 
waiting  his  arrival ;  he  politely  received  them  one 
by  one  into  the  room,  and  prescribed  for  them 
after  examining  their  complaints.  The  routine 
of  Hospital  business  is,  first,  out-door  patients; 
secondly,  issuing  provisions;  thirdly,  indoor 
patients;  fourthly,  surgical  operations;  fifthly, 
inspection  of  Record-books;  sixthly,  out-door 
patients  again. 

The  Government  appreciated  the  Doctor's 
work;  in  all  matters  of  importance,  such  as 
appointment  of  medical  officers  and  sanitary 
measures,  he  was  consulted. 

Although  the  whole  Island  had  its  Capital  in 
the  town  of  Colombo  which  is  the  residence  of 
the  Governor,  Dr.  Green's  station,  Manepy,  was 
to  some  extent  the  capital,  as  long  as  he  lived 
there,  in  being  the  headquarters  of  medical  science 
and  training.  Throughout  the  Island,  and  even 
in  India,  he  was  considered  one    of  .the    greatest 


From  Medical  Graduates  449 

men  who  lived  in  this  century. He  was 

able  to  talk  Tamil  very  easily  and  fluently;  had 
the  command  of  words,  phrases,,  idioms  and 
proverbs.  The  Tamil  maxims  he  was  daily  using 
more  freely  than  an  ordinary  Tamil  man  can 
do 

Although  he  was  absent  from  Jaffna  for  the 
last  eleven  years  of  his  life,  his  heart  was  here 
with  flis  adopted  people  and  on  the  work  that  is 
being  c  irried  on  here.  He  writes:  "We  should 
aim  to  give  our  foster-sons,  the  Medical  Students, 
in  Tamil  each  several  books  as  perfect  and  as 
full  as  prayer  and  painstaking  can  make  them.  . 
...  I  hope  each  father  of  a  volume  in  the  series 
will  cherish  it  and  see  that  in  due  time  it  re-appears 
in  a  vastly  improved  edition.  This  most  impor- 
tant enterprise  we  have  had  in  hand  many  years. 
I  hope  you  may  be  prospered  to  bring  it  all  to  a 

satisfactory  conclusion The  Lord  seems 

to  have  fitted  you  for  this  important  work.  Do 
not  lightly  decline  His  call.  Whatever  you  do, 
do  all  for  Him,  earnestly,  filially,  desiring  to  honor 
Him,  and  He  will  bless  you 

"  It  seems  incumbent  on  you  and  your  confreres 
to  maintain  the  Medical  Mission  in  Jafifna.  Get 
what  help  you  can  from  the  Government  and 
from  the  Mission,  and  combine  among  yourselves 
to  perpetuate  the  practice  and  propagation  of  a 


45  o  Maxims. 

system  of  medicine  so  much  needed  in  that  com- 
munity in  a  sanitary,  hygienic,  and  curative  way. 

"My  daily  prayer  for  long  has  been,  'O  Lord, 
stir  and  constrain  Chapman,  Mills,  and  Paul  to 
do  all  they  may  and  all  they  should  for  the  main- 
tenance and  perpetuation  of  medical  mission 
work  for  Christ  in  Jaffna,  and  enable  them  each, 
and  each  of  the  medical  graduates,  to  walk  in 
purity,  in  honesty,  and  in  kindness.  Please 
mention  this  to  friends  Mills  and  Paul  with  my 
Christian  fraternal  love.' 

"May  Jesus  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  bless  His 
servant's  work,  enabling  his  numerous  students 
to  follow  the  footsteps  of  their  tutor." 


MAXIMS. 

PREPARED    AND    WRITTEN    BY     DR.    SAMUEL   F.    GREEN 

FOR  HIS  CHILDREN. 

1877. 

Growingly  rejoice  in  the  constant  presence  of 
Jesus. 

Displace  self  by  copying  the  Saviour. 

With  a  well  studied  Bible  link  good  manners 
and  correct  speech. 

Where  Love  leads,  all  prospers. 


Maxims.  45 1 

Show  love  by  cheerfulness  and  patience. 

Win  rather  than  drive. 

Those  attached  by  kindness  are  easily  ruled. 

Evince  kindly  interest,  but  avoid  intrusiveness. 

Speak    kindly  of  people,  just  as  if  they   were 
present. 

Be  free  to  commend  and  slow  to  blame. 

Rarely  threaten,  never  scold. 

DefeV  reproof  till  cool. 

Reprove  briefly,  mildly,  seldom  and  alone. 

Never  take  nor  allow  liberties. 

Be    always    polite;     occasional     politeness    is 
mannerism. 

Be  patient,  cheerful,  and  obliging. 

Be  frank,  in  word  and  act. 

Equanimity  is  more  helpful   than  oflficiousness. 

Playing  tricks  is  contemptible. 

Ridicule  seldom,  if  ever,  and  cautiously. 

Beware  of  the  Flatterer. 

Slang  tends  to  impurity  and  profanity. 

Speak,  as  the  Sensible  and  Cultured  speak. 

"  Think,  before  you  speak." 

In  social  converse,  be  discreet,  unaffected  and 
cheerful. 
.  Be  as  ready  to  listen  as  to  speak. 

In  argument,  say  little  and  hear  much. 

Shun  bad  company. 

Be  reserved  with  the  opposite  sex. 


452 


Maxims. 


Be  slow  to  form  intimacies. 

Good  thoughts  at  sleeping  time  bring  good 
thoughts  on  waking. 

Purity  is  the  first  excellence  in  character. 

Begin  the  day  quietly  and  calmly. 

Rise  promptly,  so  as  to  dress  without  hurry. 

Dawdling  and  hurry  are  equally  wasteful  of 
.time. 

Never  mix  work  and  play. 

Punctuality  and  promptitude  exclude  hurry. 

Hurry  is  the  mother  of  Impatience. 

Shun  alike  hurry  and  worry. 

First,  health ;  afterwards,  learning. 

Rather  keep  comfortably  warm  than  comforta- 
bly cool. 

Save  to  give,  not  to  hoard. 

Give  habitually,  judiciously  and  liberally. 

Extravagance  and  penuriousness  are  equally 
selfish. 

Practice  is  the  substance  of  Theory. 

In  learning  prefer  what  is  practical. 

Be  slow  to  promise,  sure  to  perform. 

Prompt  beginning  saves  hurried  ending. 

By  cheerfulness  serve  God  and  your  neighbor. 


Con  temporaries. 


453 


MISSIONARIES   IN  CEYLON 
contemporaneous  for  some  period  with  dr.  green. 

Rev.  and  Mrs.  Benjamin  C.  Meigs, 

"       "         "  Daniel  Poor, 

"       "         "  Miron  Winslow, 

"       "         "  Levi  Sfaulding, 

"       "         "  Geo.  H.  Apthorpe, 

"       "         "  Henry  R.  Hoisington, 

"       "         *'  Samuel  G.  Whittelsey, 

"       "         "  Edward  Cope, 

"       "         "  John  C.  Smith, 

"       "         "  Adin  H.  Fletcher, 

•'       "         "  William  W.  Howland, 

"       "         "  William  W.  Scudder, 

"       "         "  Eurotus  p.  Hastings, 

"       "         "  Joseph  T.  Noyes, 

"  Cyrus  T.  Mills, 

"       "         "  Thomas  S.  Burnell, 

•'       "         "  Marshall  D.  Sanders, 

"  Nathan  L.  Lord,  M.  D., 

"       "         "  Milan  H.  Hitchcock, 

"       "         "  James  Quick, 

"       "         "  James  A.  Bates, 

"       "         "  William  E.  De  Riemer, 

"       "         "  Thomas  S.  SxMith, 

Mr.      "         "  Eastman  S.  Minor, 


45  4  Medical  pupils. 


Miss  Eliza  Agnew, 

"     Harriet  E.  Townsend^ 
"     Hester  A.  Hillis. 


TAMILS  EDUCATED  IN  MEDICINE 

by  dr.  samuel  f.  green. 

Class  of  1848-50. 

Joshua  Danforth,*  J.  Dennison,*' 

J.   Waittilingam. 

Class  of  1851-53. 

J.  Town,  N.  Parker* 

C.  Mead,*  .  A.  C.  Hall, 

S.  Miller.* 

Class  of  1853-56. 

T.  Hopkins,*  G.  M.  Reid,* 

C.  Mclntyre,  A.  McFarland.* 

Class  of  1856-59. 

J.  H.  Bailey,*  A.  Blanchard. 

J.  P.  Harward,  F.  Latimer, 

J.  Wilson,*  J.  Ropes,* 

J.  Flud,*  D.  P.  Mann. 


Medical  p  up  Us .  455 


Class  of  1861-64. 

Kartthekaser,  alias     M.  Hitchcock, 

Ethernayakam,  "         C.  T.  Mills, 

Swaminather,  "         S.  W.  Nathaniel, 

Kanakadattinam,  "         L.  S.  Strong, 

Vaittilingam,  "         D.  W.  Chapman. 

S.  Navaratnam,  Sivappiraksam, 

A.  Appapilly,  William  Paul, 

J.  B.  Shaw,  L.  Spaulding. 

Class  of  1864-67.      The   First  in  the 
Vernacular, 

K.  Elyapillay,  Kandapper, 

S.  Sittambalam,  A.  Sivasidambaram, 

V.  Sittambalam,  S.  Sinnappu, 

Samuel  David,  Samuel  H.  Murugasu, 

Daniel  Vettivalo,*  R.  S.  Welopilly,* 

S.  Mandalam.* 

Class  of  1867-70. 

A.  Appapillay,  A.  Appuckutty, 

Arumugam,  S.  Sarawanamuttu,* 

V.  Senivasagam,  S.  Saminather, 

S.  Kandavanam,  Edward  Lovell, 

V.  Vannitumby,  Visuvanathan, 

S.  Vinasitamby. 


456 


Medical  pupils. 


Class  of  1871-73. 


J.  Amerasinger, 
M.  Ramalingam, 
V,  Sadasivam  Bates, 
S.  Sinnatamby, 
K.  Tilliampalam, 


S.  Arunasalem, 
V.  Catheravaloo,* 
S.  Sarawanamuttu, 
S.  Sinniah; 
K.  Vaittilingam, 


K.  Wellopilly,* 
Class  of  1872-75. 


A.  Amerasingam, 
T.  Kanagasaphy, 
Richard  S,  Adams, 
V.  Sellappah, 
N.  Tambimuttu, 
Abraham  V.  Nitsinger, 
V.  Ponnambalam, 
S.  Ponnambalam, 
N.  Mutatamby, 


R.  Ambalam, 
C.  Kumaravaloo, 
Benjamin  Lawrence, 
N.  L.  Joshua, 
M.  Nannitamby, 
Joshua  K.  Pereatamby, 
K.  Ponnambalam, 
Mutiyah  S.  Ropes, 
V.  Vetteawanam. 


*Deceased. 

The  class  of  1875  had  not  completed  their  course  when 
Dr.  Green  left  Ceylon. 


DATE  DUE                  1 

I 

y^ 

i 

UNIVERSITY  PRODUCTS,  INC.   *859-5503 

BOSTON  COLLEGE 


3   9031    026  92002   5 


.Miftmw;<«ii<*S;(i''\ 


